Positive examples on energy efficiency

The LRD survey found many examples of workplaces that have begun to tackle climate change, with many measures driven by trade union reps.

Many of the changes are about making employees rethink their behaviour. UNISON reps at Portsmouth City Council carry out spot checks out-of-hours to ensure everything is switched off and put stickers on “offenders’” computers. UNISON reps at EDF Energy describe how environment reps have introduced lots of small scale local initiatives, especially to reduce printing and paper consumption. A PCS rep at the Department for Work and Pensions is going to deliver a presentation on “Energy Efficiency” in his department in a bid to help cut energy usage further.

GMB reps at food retailer Asda ensure that workers close walk-in fridge/freezer doors when not in use, and that there is a greater use of internal email instead of internal paper mail. UNISON reps at outsourcing company Capita have set up all printing facilities so both sides of paper are automatically used; and they have succeeded in banning the wasteful use of individual toasters and kettles in most workplaces. A Prison Officers’ Association (POA) rep at the Ministry of Justice says there is now constant monitoring of energy consumption by dedicated staff.

Union environment reps will have a good understanding of the existing inefficiencies in the workplace simply from working there and talking to their members. This means they are able to put forward realistic proposals to management and convince them of their viability. Prospect reps at the Health and Safety Laboratory said the union made specific approaches for changes to the heating system based on safety rep knowledge of the system and staff complaints. Prospect reps at the Countryside Council for Wales were able to present a convincing argument to ensure that the review of the energy supply contract led to the selection of a green energy provider.

UNISON reps in a Lancashire council helped bring about a week long closure at Christmas. “We previously opened between Christmas and New Year but convinced them that closing for a full week would give big financial savings in heating and lighting,” they explained. At Tata Steel a Community rep explains that there has been a change in the shift patterns to improve the efficiency of energy used on site.

UNISON reps at the Walton Centre in Liverpool ensured sensor lighting was installed and Unite reps at GKN Aerospace have made sure machines are used more efficiently: “We have monitored power usage on some machines and come up with a better practice which saves energy.”

Some changes have required a technical overhaul of an existing system. Prospect reps from the Office for National Statistics describe the toilets using rainwater and waterless urinals. PCS reps at the New Museum of Liverpool also describe the usage of rainwater for toilets and the installation of their own heat and power system. UNISON reps at Bournemouth University are pleased with their new bio-mass boiler. A Prison Officers’ Association (POA) rep says in the prison they divert grey water from showers to feed the flush systems in toilets.

A PCS rep at the Defra government department describes a thorough updating of the building: “The office temperature has a ‘set point’ of 19oC maximum during the colder months. Windows have been resealed from inside and outside. Heat from the canteen is recycled/reused to heat offices. The building’s air is refreshed overnight and heated with the old hot air from the daytime use. Rainwater is “harvested” to flush toilets. Lights are automatic and turn down or off when ambient light is above certain levels and off when no movement is sensed. Low energy bulbs and fluorescent tubes are used throughout. All PC’s have been replaced by energy efficient laptops.”

In many instances energy efficient improvements have come from moving into a more modern building. A rep working at the new headquarters of the public sector union UNISON describes the changes involved in moving to one of the greenest buildings in London: “It maximises the use of natural light; glazing to reduce glare, windows facing south are recessed to provide shading; there are ventilation plants with heat recovery; waste heat from cooling zones is reused to heat other areas; there are lights on infrared sensors; photovoltaics have been installed; floors and doors are sourced with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council certified); we have rainwater capture; three sedum roofs; and 50 cycle spaces plus lockers and showers.”