The Future is Bright the Future is Green

 We achieved the Green Dragon Level 2 Environmental Award in 2005. This demonstrates our commitment to protecting the environment. We have developed our training centre into an eco-centre. Electricity is sourced from green energy sources, water is from a natural spring rather than mains, all rubbish and food waste is recycled. Water saving devices are installed in showers, hand basins and wc’s. All energy use is monitored. All groups are educated and informed of this eco-approach with the idea of them taking something of this ethos back with them.

Our aim is for the centre to carbon neutral by the end of 2009. We have planted 2,000 trees on our farm to offset our reducing carbon emissions. We have also started using vegetable oil in our company vehicles. In 2009 it is proposed to replace oil central heating with a wind turbine/biofuel. Water usage reduced through careful use. Fuel costs reduced through use of vegetable oil. Vegetable oil purchased anyway for catering for the groups so no extra cost. Low energy bulbs, lecture to customers about energy conservation eg turning off lights. To reduce oil usage turned down thermostats on radiators. We no longer supply plastic bottles of water each day but rather supply each individual with a branded reusable water bottle at the beginning of the event which they can refill each day and also take home and use with their packed lunch. Eliminated number of plastic bottles used by 3,320 plastic bottles a year.

For our events we offer subsidised rail fares for our clients to encourage them to leave their cars at home. Even when groups arrive for courses in their own cars whilst with us we seek to transport them around in our minibus. For 2009 we are currently considering to plant a tree for each group that visit us. Our staff deliver inductions for all clients with an explanation of the eco-status of the centre and why we do it and what’s expected of them. Over the last year we have been installing energy saving bulbs inside and outside the farm the following is the reductions in the energy we are using to light up the farm. Outside Lighting 5000 watts reduced to 532watts Inside lighting 1370watts reduced to 297watts This is a total saving of 5541watts which works out at 55 units per hour