Platinum Facilities has purchased 100% sustainable gas and electricity for the company’s offices in London and Fareham, and our Scope 1 and 2 emissions are now zero. We have also purchased 100 tonnes of CO2 derived from an energy efficiency project in Mexico, which we can use to offset our emissions. We are therefore Carbon negative to the tune of 100 tonnes.
The energy efficiency project’s aim was to cut carbon emissions, reduce poverty and help to deliver energy security to Mexico. Each household received 4 compact fluorescent light bulbs in exchange for 4 old incandescent lights. Many of the households were low income families that benefited greatly from their reduced energy bills and reduced cost to replace lights over time.
The project supports the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Goal 1. No Poverty – End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Low income households benefited from removal of the up front cost of the lights and significant reductions in their power costs. On average, 40% of household power consumption in Mexico is related to lighting.
Goal 7. Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Particularly relevant for low-income households in Mexico was that at the time of implementing the project, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) could be up to ten times more expensive than incandescent light bulbs. This was a barrier to low-income households, which providing the CFLs for free removed. Households use 25% of all power generated in Mexico and the lower power demand from household lights reduced the pressure on the power distribution system, thereby making it more reliable.
Goal 12. Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
CFLs can last up to 10 times longer than old incandescent technology. This makes the production and use of these lights more responsible and sustainable.
Goal 13. Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy
By providing 22.9 million energy efficient light bulbs, which require up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce an equivalent lumen output, the programme results in reductions in electricity use for lighting and thus in the reduction of CO2 emissions associated with electricity generation. The emission reductions are real, measurable and give long-term benefits to the mitigation of climate change.
Our actions have significant improved Platinum Facilities’ ESG and are part of our ongoing programme. For more information, please call us on 0207 977 5650 or contact us.
