The Energy Saving Trust's blog

Green Shoots In The Long Grass

I was really heartened today to read of the latest profit forecasts issued by Kingfisher Group’s Chief Executive, Ian Cheshire, and before anybody makes any suggestions – no, I am not a shareholder! But, perhaps I should be given the interesting and significant fact in and amongst all of the figures where sales of ‘Green’ products have topped £1 billion (yes, £1 billion) for the first time and helping to fuel the Group’s profit surge.

The Group’s commitment to the green agenda has been long standing and whilst pre-dating Ian Cheshire’s elevation to the top post, his personal commitment has seen it drive forward at a considerable lick. As we emerge (hopefully) from the recession it’s really heartening to see that the market is not taking the opportunity, as many feared, to side-line sustainability from a commercial point of view. By marginalising it as some would have us believe as “Eco-bling” but seeing good solid commercial opportunities to be made for shareholders, employees and customers alike. I only hope this is the first of many companies reporting such significant steps forward as the market truly gets to grips with developing a low carbon economy. A hopeful pre-Easter note!

Leading UK Retailers Pledge To Stop Selling Energy Wasting TVs

It was a privilege for me to host the voluntary retailer initiative event - a commitment by leading UK retailers to stop selling energy wasting TVs.

Eight leading retailers - Best Buy UK, Comet, Co-operative Electrical, DSGi (Currys and PC World), John Lewis Partnership, Home Retail Group (Argos), Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s   have voluntarily joined a new scheme -jointly launched by ourselves and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - to remove the least energy efficient TVs from their stock, and educate shoppers about the benefit of buying an energy efficient TV.

The commitment means that all televisions sold by these companies will meet new minimum efficiency standards at least a year in advance of the EU introducing these regulations for all retailers in July 2012. We are also working with industry to encourage other retailers to follow suit and voluntarily sign-up to join the initiative.

Commenting at the launch of the initiative, Environment Minister Dan Norris MP said:

“I’m pleased that so many of our leading electrical stores have made this commitment to remove the least energy efficient TVs from their shelves. There is more work to be done to further improve the energy efficiency of these products but, with a World Cup around the corner when we know some people will be thinking of buying a new TV, it’s great for them to know that the models sold by these retailers will save them money on their energy bills and help the environment.”

From my perspective, the facts are simple - the worst performing 42" televisions on the shelf today can cost around £75 a year to run whereas an equivalent sized energy efficient (Energy Saving Recommended accredited) TV only cost £33 a year to run. That means customers choosing to buy an Energy Saving Recommended television over a poor performer could shave around £340 off their electricity bills over the lifetime of the TV (and over a tonne of carbon dioxide).

With many people likely to invest in a new television for this summer’s World Cup, the timing of the retailer commitment could not be better. Our estimates predict that 1.6 million TVs will be sold in the run up to the World Cup final, so we will be working hard to help support retailers communicate and market the energy saving initiatives to their customers.

 

 

Bottom row from left

Jack Cunningham, Environmental Affairs Manager, Sainsburys.

Alison Stephens, Business Standards Manager, DSGi

Lucy Shaw, Head of Responsible Sourcing, John Lewis Partnership

Paul Davies, Assistant Marketing Manager – Vision, Comet

 

Top row from left

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive, Energy Saving Trust

Dan Norris MP, Environment Minister, Defra

deVere Forster, Managing Director – Online, Best Buy

Roger Panton-Kent, Head of Quality Assurance, Home Retail Group

 

A load of (eco)balls…

I noticed the other day that John Lewis have recently launch an ‘eco-products’ section on their website. I have to say I am impressed. The site is split into five sections, energy efficiency, fairly traded, organic, recycling, sustainable, and eco-friendly making it really easy for the casual shopper to find the eco-product they’re looking for.

Having explored the site, what I was particularly pleased to see was the wealth of supporting advice and information giving people the context as to why they should consider eco-products.

One of the most interesting products John Lewis has on sale are the eco-washing and tumble drying balls. Whilst the eco-balls cost more to purchase initially (£30), they are effective for 750 washes. This has a double benefit. Firstly you don’t have to spend money on washing powder / liquid – and secondly you’re not flushing detergents into the sewage system. There is actually a third benefit too and that’s the fact eco-washing balls work effectively at 30 degrees centigrade meaning you can save energy too given most standard washes are at 40 degrees centigrade, or hotter. The tumble drying balls help to reduce the time it takes to dry clothes – and can save up to 25 per cent of electricity in the process.

So, if you get a chance why not visit the John Lewis website?

Inspector Gadget

Gadgets are not going away anytime soon and they are collectively prodigous consumers of natural resources, so I was particularly taken by an article in the “In Gadget” section of the Sunday Times yesterday. It revealed that Konarka - an American energy company - have just unveiled working solar cells that can be printed directly onto flexible plastic, using standard ink-jet technology. Rather than being made from expensive and rigid silicon, Konarka’s solar cells are made from cheap organic polymers. The potential for this product is enormous. You quite literally put the cells anywhere - from mobile phones, MP3 players, or even on a hat!


I am not, however, advocating that we should just sit around and wait for a technological fix to solve climate change. I still believe that all of us must act now to reduce our energy consumption BUT what a bonus it would be if these solar cells became the norm and helped to transform the way we power our gadgets!