Posted on 04 August 2009.
Europe-leading energy efficiency distributor reduces carbon footprint by a minimum of 2.5% over three years
RS Components, Europe’s leading distributor of electronic, electrical and industrial components, was today awarded the Carbon Trust Standard (CTS) at the highest level. The Standard is an objective benchmark that assesses and accredits an organisation’s commitment to climate change. To achieve it, RS reduced its carbon footprint by a minimum of 2.5% over three years.
The Carbon Trust Standard, issued by the Carbon Trust, is awarded to organisations that proactively measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint within stringent guidelines. The Standard measures electricity and gas consumption, on-site energy consumption (including heating and cooling), fuel consumption, fugitive emissions, emissions from business transport, as well as the organisation’s internal and external programmes to promote energy efficiency. To date, less than 100 companies in the UK have met its requirements, and even less have achieved the more difficult level two certification. RS Components is the first distributor of electronic and electrical components to acquire the level two Standard.
To maximise its organisational energy efficiency, RS replaced 1,382 light bulbs at its Corby headquarters with energy efficient lamps. Over three years, this resulted in a saving of 345.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions from lighting alone.* From 2011, the estimated 5,000 UK companies impacted by the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), RS included, will be mandated to purchase CRC allowances to cover emissions for each year. It is expected that these allowances will be costed at £12 per tonne of CO2. Based on this fee, RS has reduced the amount it will need to spend on allowances by £4,146 for lighting alone.
“Energy efficient products are a huge part of our business, and it’s very important to us that we practice what we preach,” said Paul Quested, General Manager, RS Components. “We’re immensely proud of the professionalism and expertise of our staff across the board to both deliver and advise on best practice for buildings and facilities management. “The Standard is recognition for all the hard work we’ve put into making our business as environmentally responsible and as energy efficient as possible. It assures our customers that when they come to us for advice on how to make their own business more energy efficient, we completely understand their needs as we’ve been through the process ourselves,” Quested continued.
Ian Taylor, an assessor for the Carbon Trust, added: “RS Components have good carbon management practices and are determined to achieve continuous improvement in this area. The company has invested in terms of management time and capital money, and this has delivered carbon savings. The staff and management involved in the operating efficiency of the business are professional and committed to reducing carbon emissions.
“Although much has been achieved already, there are still many opportunities for investment and improvement. The gaining of the CTS will further promote the fact that improving carbon efficiency is essential in a modern business.”
* Calculation based on the replacement of halogen lights with Megaman CFL GU 10 energy efficient lamps. Lifetime emissions from an energy efficient lamp equate to 70 kilograms of CO2. Lifetime emissions of a halogen lamp equate to 320 kilograms of CO2.
» Contact details for RS Components
Harwin, the leading manufacturer of connectors and interconnect solutions for high-reliability applications, has recently named STG International as its Distributor of the Year in Israel, at a ceremony beside the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. STG was established in 1965 as a Hi-Tech engineering and distribution organization, and is ranked among the top five similar organizations in the country. The company is ISO9002 qualified and has additional customer specific qualifications and approvals.
Now available in the UK from 
