ICAEW is first institute to achieve Carbon Trust Standard

THE ICAEW is the first institute to achieve a Carbon Trust Standard certification.

The institute managed to obtain the accolade following a programme of recording, measuring and managing its carbon emissions each year between April 2008 and March 2011.

Robin Fieth, (pictured) finance and operations director ICAEW, said: "There is a growing movement towards carbon reduction across business as a way to enhance performance and reduce risk.

"As the UK's largest accountancy body, ICAEW wants to be at the forefront of that movement - achieving the standard ourselves enables us to understand and communicate those issues with integrity."

To achieve the certification an organisation will be "rigorously" assessed by the Carbon Trust, and must show it has measured, managed and reduced its emissions as well as have plans to continue reducing it in the future.

The institute installed new lighting systems, developed methods of switching off equipment during non-operational hours and installed energy efficient water cooling devices.

These changes were implemented on both the London and Milton Keynes ICAEW sites.

Harry Morrison, general manager the Carbon Trust Standard, said: "ICAEW is a clear example of a leading professional body that has taken action on its own estate and also to set the benchmark for its members, and their organisations, to follow. We congratulate ICAEW on its achievement."