Aviva has cut its global carbon emissions by well over a third since 2010 through energy-saving initiatives like installing solar panels and LED lighting at its offices.
Following the installation of new solar PV arrays at three of its UK offices, the insurance giant revealed to Clean Energy News that it has reduced CO2e by 39% compared to six years ago.
It has also used energy-saving measures to cut its electricity consumption by 13%, with the exception of the office of Friends Life, which it took over at the end of 2014.
Matthew Deakin, UK environment manager for Aviva told CEN that the company’s global efforts have been helped by wider use of energy efficiency and self-generation measures.
“Not only do these help to reduce emissions but provide extra benefits too. The solar panels for instance reduce our demand on the grid, whilst LEDs can provide better light and help us to save 1,100 tonnes of carbon a year, with less maintenance at a fraction of the running costs when compared older forms of lighting,” he explained.
In 2015 the company signed up to the RE100, an initiative launched by The Climate Group that now includes almost 60 global brands all committed to using 100% renewable energy. Recent additions to the list include Hewlett Packard, Sky and Bloomberg who all joined earlier this year,
Aviva hopes to reach the 100% goal by 2025 and is already purchasing 100% renewable electricity in the UK. By the end of last year, the company has increased its global proportion of renewable energy to 62%.
In addition to efforts to reduce its own carbon emissions and energy consumption, Aviva also carries out a whole host of extra investment activities in the low carbon space.
Deakin continued: “We don’t only invest to reduce our own emissions; we also committed in July 2015 to invest £500m per annum for five years in low carbon infrastructure, saving 100,000 tonnes of CO2e (we’ve invested £347m to date).
“This builds on previous low carbon investments including 75MW of domestic solar capacity covering 24,000 homes.”
Deakin added that the company has been carbon neutral for ten years, having offset over 1.25 million tonnes CO2.
Representatives from a number of RE100 listed companies will join members of The Climate Group at next week’s Clean Energy Summit, hosted at London’s Twickenham stadium. To find out more including now to attend, click here
