Greg Barker gave a key-note speech at the launch of the latest Annual Sustainability Report by leading support services provider Carillion.
The Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change joined around 150 guests at an event in the Houses of Commons hosted by Wolverhampton South West MP Paul Uppal and Carillion’s Chief Sustainability Officer Tom Robinson.
Midlands-based Carillion, which has just been ranked as a Platinum Big Tick Company in the Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index, published its first environment report in 1999.
This year’s report highlights progress on Carillion’s 2020 Sustainability Strategy launched in 2011 and built around delivering six positive outcomes deemed most important by its stakeholders, such as supporting sustainable communities, building low carbon economies and protecting the environment.
It also provides an update on Birmingham Energy Savers (BES) where Carillion is exclusive delivery partner for Birmingham City Council on a programme pioneering the delivery of Green Deal. The partnership agreement was announced by Mr Barker last year and is set to improve the energy efficiency of up to 60,000 households across Birmingham, together with schools and other non-domestic council properties. Under a pioneering local delivery model Carillion has also committed to create and sustain at least 360 jobs and to help 600 people from priority groups into placements, training and work through BES.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Businesses have an important part to play in the creation of a low carbon future, by exploring ways to cut carbon and becoming more energy efficient. It’s great to see companies like Carillion rising to the challenge and putting these issues firmly at the heart of their business.
“Carillion is also helping drive forward ground breaking projects, such as the Birmingham Energy Savers programme, raising awareness of the benefits of the Green Deal and encouraging householders to get onboard. I wish Carillion every success with their endeavours.”
Carillion Chief Executive Richard Howson added: “I would like to thank Mr Barker for his support and our local MP Paul Uppal for hosting this event for the second year running. I believe their interest in today’s launch reflects our own commitment to and continuing leadership in sustainability.
"Not only do businesses have an obligation to become more environmentally sustainable themselves, but they must also help other businesses and communities do the same. Green energy programmes such as BES, which has a delivery model designed to promote work for local companies and jobs for local people, is just one of many examples of how we at Carillion are doing this across our operations.”
As a Gold Leaf member of the UK-Green Building Council Carillion was also joined at the launch by the organisation’s Chief Executive Paul King.
Mr King said: “Retrofitting our homes and buildings to be more energy efficient represents a huge opportunity, but it won’t happen without the sort of foresight and ambition being shown by companies like Carillion. Through their city partnerships they are helping to drive forward the Green Deal and ECO, delivering carbon and energy savings for communities, and helping to give a boost to local economies.”