CuriousPapers.com, the North American Curious Collection website, has added a new Environmental Savings Calculator to help creative professionals understand and manage their paper choices. Designed specifically for products in the Collection, the calculator allows up to four products to be simultaneously compared for environmental savings in the areas of trees, water, energy, solid waste, and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The updated Curious Collection offering and Environmental Calculator allows customers to communicate the difference they make when choosing environmentally-responsible papers,” says Phil Cavalier, vice president of marketing at Appleton Coated.

To view the new colors, calculator, and other updated information about Curious Collection, visit www.curiouspapers.com.

With the help of carbon and energy reduction company, Global Carbon Exchange, Clicks has now determined their total annual emissions and are looking to make significant reductions to these emissions through a number of innovative solutions. The report, in accordance with ISO14064 and the internationally recognised GHG Protocol, shows their overall annual carbon footprint to be 127,014 tonnes of CO2. This equates to 16.10 tonnes of CO2 per employee per year and 11.34 tonnes of CO2 per million rand turnover.

When broken down the report shows that New Clicks Holdings’ two largest sources of their total annual carbon emissions are the consumption of electricity and the work commuting of over 7 000 employees .

Global Carbon Exchange CEO Kevin James says “New Clicks Holdings is identifying exactly where and how energy is being consumed, and a detailed energy audit is a vital next step to this positive process. A reduction strategy including a staff education program aimed at changing behavior could then be implemented. This would result in significant energy and cost savings.”

The company indicated that it also has a longer-term goal to reduce its environmental impact by reducing its annual carbon emissions and increasing its energy efficiency. According to James, not only do they recognize the environmental and financial benefits derived from such a process, but also the benefit of creating awareness regarding climate change among employees and customers. “This is a very strong foundation on which to develop”.

New Clicks Holdings’ is one of many listed companies reporting to the internationally acclaimed Carbon Disclosure Project, an independent not-for-profit organization which acts as an intermediary between shareholders and corporations on all climate change related issues.

“Taking action has been a positive experience, “said Wally Bouland of New Clicks Holdings. “As we had a limited understanding of the environmental reporting structure, selecting the right partner was essential. We are proud of this step and look forward to an ongoing relationship with Global Carbon Exchange as we continue with our reduction process.”

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Global Carbon Exchange’s is a leading South African and International carbon and energy reduction consultancy which helps clients develop a comprehensive strategy to address climate change. Services include determining a client’s carbon foot print, then conducting an investment grade energy audit, to determine where and how energy efficiency can be maximised in a company. A reduction plan including a comprehensive internal staff education campaign is then implemented, leading to cost and energy savings of up to 30%. Unless the reductions lead to total carbon neutrality, Global Carbon Exchange will then provide advice and decision making criteria for the company to select an offset project most aligned with its brand or existing company policy.

Eight disadvantaged schools across the country will receive between 20 and 40 trees, as well as training and education on how to maintain the trees facilitated by Food & Trees for Africa, a greening, climate change action and food security social enterprise. This will enhance and create a nurturing environment for the schools and will provide lasting benefit to generations of children and their communities alike.

“I believe it is every person’s responsibility to adopt low-carbon practices, and businesses are made of people. Raising public awareness and encouraging choices that support ethical companies will result in pressure being felt by other suppliers to follow suit”, said CEO, Ryan Bakos. “I believe the chain reaction is the only thing that might save our wonderful and precious planet!”

Bakos is not only committed to offsetting the company’s monthly carbon emissions, he has also begun implementing a plan to reduce it’s energy consumption which accounts for over 75% of the retailer’s total carbon emissions.  

A carbon footprint and energy report by Global Carbon Exchange (GCX) highlighted how reductions could be achieved so Bakos devised a financially sustainable plan which spread the cost of converting his current lighting system (the most energy intensive component of Bakos Brothers Furniture Retailers operations), to an energy efficient system, over the next two years.  

Total payback for the entire project will also be achieved in the 23rd month of the conversion, but emission reductions and financial savings began with the first lights that were converted and will continue steadily as more energy efficient lighting is fitted. This will also result in less and less offsets being purchased monthly until the new system has been fully installed at all five of the company’s Johannesburg premises.  

Looking at today’s international leaders like Virgin, HSBC, Mark’s and Spenser’s, Google, Ikea and Nike it is clear that the old business model of profiting at the expense of everything and everyone has been replaced by a sustainable model that does not separate responsible environmental and social practices from raising profitability and increasing market share.