“Anyone is welcome and there’s no obligation to take part. Most people join a Green Team because they want to help make a difference.”
Noam Bleicher and Bob Gambles are members of the Green Team in the British Gas Business Oxford office. The Green Team meets monthly to look at ways of cutting energy consumption and raising awareness of green initiatives with colleagues.
“There are Green Teams throughout British Gas Business and Centrica offices,” says Noam, “I led the Oxford team for 3 years and I’m still a member now.”
“We co-ordinate energy efficiency and green initiatives in the office – from encouraging recycling to getting more people to cycle to work. We use a combination of posters, stickers and emails to get the message through. Whether it’s for cutting waste or switching off appliances at night.”
“It can take time to change people’s behaviour but they are generally very responsive. And attitudes have changed a lot over the last few years. People are not only more aware of green issues; it’s all part of being an environmentally responsible company.”
“It is the small behavioural changes that can have a real impact,” says Noam Bleicher, senior commissions analyst, British Gas Business. Even the simplest of measures can culminate in energy reductions and in British Gas we witnessed energy savings in one particular building of over 30%.”
“We were entered in a European Union competition and won Gold in the Energy Trophy for saving the highest percentage of energy using cost-free measures. It's an achievement I'm really proud of – all those small things really added up.”
“This year we’ve focused activities around World Environment Day on June 5th,” says Bob, the current Green Team leader.
“The theme is Carbon Footprint Reduction. We've launched a 'Slim the Bin' campaign, aimed at getting people to recycle more so our company will send less to landfill.”
“We work closely with the Facilities Management team to help implement our initiatives. We want everyone to use resources more efficiently and cut unnecessary waste.”
“Even turning a PC off at night can help save valuable energy and cut costs.”
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