The partnership will see RSA's Engineering Inspection & Consultancy business and its 450 engineers work with Carbon Trust Implementation Services to actively promote the benefits of installing new energy efficient equipment. This initiative helps to further integrate sustainability into RSA's core functions by enabling customers to follow in the footsteps of the insurer, who has cut its own carbon footprint by more than half since 2000.
We're seeing increasing demand amongst large businesses such as RSA for us to help their customers get to grips with energy efficiency and capture the associated cost savings. This is a reflection of the fact that there are a wide range of options in this market and it is not always apparent where customers can source reliable advice. This new partnership is fantastic news for RSA's customers, who will now receive advice from trusted technical experts on installing new energy efficiency equipment, which should help them to make material cost savings in the face of increasingly volatile energy prices.
Myles McCarthy, Managing Director of Carbon Trust Implementation Services
Partnering with the Carbon Trust is a great way for us to help our customers cut their emissions and save money. Our corporate responsibility strategy is designed to integrate sustainability issues into our core business. This is an example of how we are doing so, helping our customers to manage their risks more effectively and identifying commercial opportunities for both customers and RSA. At RSA, we have taken a significant action to tackle our own carbon footprint, and I'm delighted to say we've halved it since 2000 and offset the remainder by purchasing voluntary carbon credits. We hope that by partnering with the Carbon Trust we can work with our customers to help them realise their carbon reduction goals.
Nigel Raywood, Consultancy Services Director at RSA
Installing new equipment, such as lighting, heating, ventilation and high efficiency air conditioning can hugely reduce energy bills, as well as reducing the risk of that equipment breaking down or causing accidents. Energy efficiency is a fantastic opportunity to drive down business costs, helping the UK's economy in the face of a double-dip recession and supporting national carbon targets. For example, a typical retail organisation could cut their lighting energy bill by up to 70% through installing new light fittings and effective controls.
The adoption of energy efficiency equipment will not just provide a boost to the bottom line for businesses, but also could make a valuable contribution to the UK economy. Carbon Trust research estimates that there is a potential UK market size of £9 billion for energy efficiency equipment. Over the past ten years the Carbon Trust have worked with 75% of FTSE 100 companies, tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses, and over 3,000 public sector bodies to help customers make £4.5 billion in energy savings. This work includes helping them to examine everything from the fabric of the building to behavioural issues, such as encouraging staff to save energy.
Notes to editors
For more information and to speak to a Carbon Trust spokesperson, please contact the Carbon Trust press office on 0207 544 3100 or press@carbontrust.com.
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust are independent experts with a mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.
They advise businesses, governments and the public sector on their opportunities in a sustainable, low carbon world.
They measure and certify the environmental footprint of organisations, supply chains and products.
They help develop and deploy low carbon technologies and solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power.
About RSA
With a 300 year heritage, RSA is one of the world's leading multinational quoted insurance groups. RSA has major operations in the UK, Scandinavia, Canada, Ireland, Asia and the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe and has the capability to write business in around 140 countries. Focusing on general insurance, RSA has around 23,000 employees and, in 2011, its net written premiums were £8.1 billion.
Within the UK, RSA is the largest commercial lines insurer, covering the insurance and risk management needs of a significant number of FTSE 100 companies. It has a full multi-distribution capability, writing business through brokers and corporate partners, direct and online. RSA is also one of the UK's top four personal motor and household insurers.
RSA was the first UK carbon neutral insurer. The company has cut its carbon footprint by half since 2000 and has offset the remainder by purchasing voluntary carbon reductions.
