Design Centre's carbon pledge

nlnews@archant.co.uk
10 March 2010

THE Business Design Centre in Upper Street, Islington, has pledged to boost its green credentials by going carbon neutral.

For every tonne of C02 produced the BDC will pay for an equivalent amount of C02 to be reduced by an emission reduction project in various parts of the world. The three projects the venue has chosen are in Tanzania, Columbia, and India.

Dominic Jones, chief executive of the Business Design Centre said: "The BDC has always been aware of its environmental responsibility and we are extremely proud of the award-winning 'green' initiatives we have implemented. We realise that it is not possible to decrease our carbon footprint to zero through reduction and conservation alone and with this in mind we have decided to support our reduction with an offset programme."

The BDC, one of London's oldest and most iconic venues, has partnered with The Carbon Neutral Company, the market leading carbon offset and climate consulting business. They have helped the venue measure the amount of C02 produced from travel, waste and energy and the means to offset its consumption.

These projects not only fulfil the carbon offsetting requirements but also offer great benefits to the local communities in which they are situated.

Mr Jones continues added: "The BDC's focus the future will continue to be on energy efficiency and internal emission reductions. The addition of our new status will not only benefit the venue but also our tenants who work within the building and, of course, the many events that take place whose organisers will be able to communicate the new 'green' credentials to all their stakeholders. We are also confident that potential organisers will see this accreditation as a benefit when looking for a venue to place an event."

Rebecca Fay, marketing director, The CarbonNeutral Company, commented, "By achieving the first CarbonNeutral venue accreditation in the UK the BDC are ideally positioned to meet event organisers' requirements for a green and sustainable exhibition space in the UK.