Environmental Responsibility
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing society today. The world is warming up, largely because of emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). About 6.5 billion tonnes of CO2 are emitted globally each year, mostly through burning coal, oil and gas for energy.
At British Gas we have a commitment to not only play our part in cutting emissions, but to also provide ways for our customers to be more energy efficient and to reduce their carbon footprint as well.
Programmes and Initiatives
We have introduced a number of pioneering and long-lasting programmes to help us meet the challenges ahead.
Green Streets
We have selected 8 homes on streets in 8 cities for the UK's biggest ever energy savings challenge.
See how your street is faring»
Green energy
We are planning to invest £750 million in renewable energy and are meeting our obligation to supply a proportion of our electricity from renewable resources.
Find out more about our renewable energy »
Energy Efficiency Commitment
Under our Energy Efficiency Commitment, we invested £96.2 million on subsidising products such as cavity and loft insulations for around 2.5 million homes in 2006.
Find out more about our energy efficient commitment »
Climate Aware
Climate Aware allows you the opportunity to offset your home's previous 12 months carbon emissions, giving you the peace of mind that your home is carbon neutral and that you are doing your bit for the environment and to reduce climate change.
Paperless Billing
The option for customers to receive statements online not only reduces the amount of paper we use but our paperless billing community has also planted nearly 7,000 trees in one of The Carbon Neutral Company’s specially selected woodland sites »
Energy Savers Report
We provide our customers with free advice on energy efficiency and in 2005 we launched Britain’s largest energy savings initiative, offering customers a free energy efficiency report on their home and tailored advice on how to reduce their energy consumption.
Subsidising energy efficient home products
We offer subsidies on the cost of energy-efficient products, to encourage customers to make their homes more ‘green’. Customers can save on home insulation, energy efficient condensing boilers, low energy lighting and energy efficient 'A' rated appliances.
Think Energy
Think Energy is a free curriculum-based energy education programme for schools, aimed at teaching students about different types of energy and the importance of energy efficiency.
Recycling and waste reduction
We are the only energy provider to sign up to 'Making a Corporate Commitment' an initiative promoted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This commits us to goals, including reducing office waste, vehicle use and building energy. We have cut paper use in our own offices in one year by 21%, that’s over 900 boxes per month!
Woodland Information
We have three locations dedicated to re-growing native woodland. Part of our planting has been supported by our customers choosing to receive statements on line. As a result we have reduced the amount of paper we use and helped to re-grow forests for future generations.
Working harder at work
We have introduced an "Eco Teams at Work" programme. To date these teams have saved 16% of their home's energy and reduced their household waste by 27%.
Domestic combined heat and power (DCHP)
We are developing a new energy-efficient system for customers' homes. It is the same size as a conventional boiler but unlike any normal boiler it produces electricity from the same energy input. This means our customers can save money and reduce harmful emissions.
Delivering on our promises
In order to meet our environmental promises, Centrica has set out a clear vision and implemented a structure among senior management to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to environmental governance and stewardship.
Find out more about how we are delivering our promises »
Green Streets
We have selected 8 homes on streets in 8 cities for the UK's biggest ever energy savings challenge.
See how your street is faring»