Havering Energy Awareness

"A key factor in any successful change programme is a commitment to engaging and
involving the workforce. A workforce that is convinced of the need for change and involved
in the full process is much more likely to be committed to any changes decided and the organisation as a whole." www.driveforchange.org.uk

The London Borough of Havering wanted to reduce its own CO₂ emissions to mitigate the effects of  climate change and fulfil its requirements under the terms of National Indicator 185 (to reduce carbon emissions from council activities). Carbon Descent were asked to work with the employees of the Streetcare and Parks Departments with a view to: Improving employee awareness about climate change and causing long-term behaviour change, improving resource use, waste production and associated costs and reducing CO₂emissions.

Carbon Descent undertook an energy assessment of both departments which included office and depot locations. Following these assessments, the current carbon footprint of both departments was calculated and a baseline report produced which identified carbon saving recommendations through behavioural change and capital investment, an action plan for reducing emissions and guidance as to how energy saving behaviour could be embedded.

Carbon Descent ran a series of workshops to communicate the findings of the report, identify current best practice and allow staff to develop their own ideas about how the council could reduce its carbon emissions.

Onscreen and printed support materials were designed for all council staff, not just those in Streetcare and Parks. Those delivered through Havering's intranet included training materials, links to existing resources and a bespoke interactive workplace tool developed for individuals to compare the CO₂ saved by their actions to date and the CO₂ they could save from all the actions available to them.

The project was carried out in close consultation with representatives from both service areas. This allowed staff to shape the training ensuring it was relevant to Streetcare and Parks, imaginative and engaging.

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