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RSA achieves Carbon Trust Standard

The Carbon Trust Standard was developed by the Carbon Trust in 2007/08 to encourage good practice in carbon measurement, management and reduction by businesses and public sector organisations.

The award provides a clear and robust definition of good practice and is an independent endorsement of an organisation’s achievements in carbon reduction. Organisations applying for this standard are rewarded for the actions they have taken to cut carbon across their own operations.

I would strongly recommend that other organisations take a strategic view on internal carbon management
Vanessa Evans, UK HR Director at RSA

In order for an organisation to obtain the standard, it must meet the following criteria:

• Footprint measurement: An organisation must measure its footprint accurately including all required emission sources.
• Reduction: It must achieve an absolute reduction in its carbon footprint or demonstrate an equivalent relative efficiency improvement.
• Carbon management: The organisation’s carbon governance, accounting, reduction methods and targets must be demonstrated to meet the Trust’s required standard.

Achieving the Carbon Trust Standard is the most recent stage in RSA’s carbon journey; in December 2006 it became the first insurer in the UK to become carbon neutral. The company has cut its carbon footprint (within the scope of the Carbon Trust Standard) by 23% over the three years to 2008.

Vanessa Evans, UK HR Director at RSA said: “For a number of years we’ve been setting ourselves targets to reduce our environmental impact. This achievement validates our approach not only in terms of reduced impact but also generating cost savings. It has been a rewarding journey for us and I would strongly recommend that other organisations take a strategic view on internal carbon management.”

Harry Morrison, General Manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, commented: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce their direct impact on climate change by cutting carbon emissions. We congratulate RSA on this achievement.”