Martin praises local firm on carbon emissions (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin praises local firm on carbon emissions

October 22, 2009 5:32 PM

SPEAKING at a packed meeting of the Industry and Parliament Trust, Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood cited Cheltenham's Commercial Group as a leading example to business in the fight against climate change.

Martin highlighted the achievements of the local office supplies company to the meeting of over a hundred industry representatives including BT, JD Wetherspoon, and Barclays, urging them to follow Commercial Group's example. Commercial Group have reduced their overall carbon emissions by 57% by reducing mileage, implementing energy efficient lighting, switching to 100% renewable energy and increasing public transport use by 151% and reducing flights by 82%.

The meeting of industry leaders came in the aftermath of a Commons debate where the government failed to back Martin's motion to support the popular 10:10 climate change campaign, and to commit the House of Commons, the government estate and the public sector to 10% emissions cuts by the end of 2010.

Martin said: 'Commercial Group is an outstanding example of good practice for other UK businesses and just shows how much can be done. It is a real shame and a missed opportunity that the government has refused to follow their example and put their own house in order.'