Bristol and Bath business group to tackle climate change gets 100th member

Bristol and Bath have raced ahead of the rest of the country in taking action to tackle climate change and enhance the future competitiveness of the region. The West of England Carbon Challenge is an group of leading businesses and public sector bodies - now totalling 100 - who have come together to pledge a reduction in their total energy use by 2.5% a year. The Challenge comprises a formidable group of organisations, who together, employ more than 80,000 employees or about a fifth of the West of England workforce.

UNITE, the UK’s leading operator of student accommodation, became the 100th member, to sign up to the West of England Carbon Challenge, joining other leading Bristol and Bath businesses demonstrating their commitment to achieve more by working together.

Bristol-based UNITE is the largest developer and managers of student accommodation across the UK. They provide a home for more than 3,500 students in Bristol and Bath alone and employ 265 people in the two cities. David Murtagh, Regional Operations Manager commented “Energy accounts for a sizable proportion of our direct costs. We recognise the need to reduce our energy spend through projects like metering, new technologies such as LED lighting and engaging with the students who live with us to encourage behavioural change. Being part of WECC will help us showcase our commitments and look forward to sharing experiences with others in the region”.

Simon Billing of Forum for the Future, who runs the West of England Carbon Challenge said: “Our local organisations are really showing the way to the rest of the country in cutting carbon and saving themselves money on energy bills. This is a unique scheme that will help make our businesses more competitive and our public sector bodies more effective - now and into the future.”

The West of England Carbon Challenge helps companies to measure, manage and reduce their carbon emissions by offering advice, tools for measuring your footprint, regular events with top speakers, and helping network with others working. It offers a platform for professional development of employees in the region, as well as an opportunity for employers to showcase their corporate responsibility.
The Challenge was founded in Bristol by the UK’s leading sustainable development NGO, Forum for the Future, in partnership with Business West, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and the Centre for Sustainable Energy and Business in the Community, and is supported by businesses Capgemini, Halcrow and Wessex Water. The vision of the group has already attracted a wide range of member organisations and enterprises ranging from Avon & Somerset Police and, Bristol Marriot hotel, to South Glos Council and Yeo Valley.

The West of England Carbon Challenge is free to join and more information about the Challenge and those organisations taking part is available at www.westofenglandcarbonchallenge.org

Media enquiries to Simon Billing +44 (0)7500 084 449

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Forum for the Future

Forum for the Future is a non-profit organisation working globally with business and government to create a sustainable future. We aim to transform the critical systems that we all depend on, such as food, energy and finance, to make them fit for the challenges of the 21st century. We have 15 years’ experience inspiring new thinking, building creative partnerships and developing practical innovations to change our world. www.forumforthefuture.org

About UNITE

UNITE is the UK’s leading operator of purpose built student accommodation with 40,000 beds in 131 properties across 24 of the UK’s strongest university cities. We work in partnership with over 30 higher education providers, as well as renting directly to students.
The foundation for our success is providing high quality, well-located, safe accommodation that is close to university campuses, transport and local amenities. Our rent includes all bills including insurance, heating, electricity and broadband internet.

Founded in 1991, UNITE is a FTSE 250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a key factor of our success has been the careful development and management of our building assets. We also operate the UNITE Student Accommodation Fund (USAF) for institutional investors. We employ nearly 1,000 people and our mission is to deliver the best accommodation experience for students, with passion and pride.

For more information visit our corporate website: www.unite-group.co.uk or contact Sally Quigg on 0117 302 7070 or email sally.quigg@unite-group.co.uk.