A.F. Blakemore Achieves Goal of 100% Renewable Electricity

November 19, 2021

A.F. Blakemore has moved its operations to 100% renewable electricity.

The full shift to electricity from renewable sources took place on 1st October across all of the company’s sites throughout England and Wales, from stores to distribution centres.

Responsible Business Director Caoire Blakemore commented: “With our electricity usage contributing to 43.6% of the company’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020/21, this move will have a significant positive impact on our environmental footprint moving forward.

“Furthermore, over the past 12 months we’ve seen great progress in reducing the amount of energy we consume, reducing our impact on the environment even more.

“Our approach to sustainability is an integral part of our day-to-day operations, and this achievement is a great reflection of the progress we have made so far, as well as our commitment to overcoming the environmental challenges that lie ahead.”

A.F. Blakemore’s move to 100% renewable electricity forms part of its broader sustainability agenda, which seeks to minimise the company’s environmental impact by reducing its waste and carbon footprint, improving efficiencies in fuel and energy usage, and helping suppliers and customers to minimise their environmental impact.

The company’s latest Strategic Energy and Carbon Report shows that the business made significant progress in reducing its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in 2020/21.

Total greenhouse gas emissions were 17.4% lower in 2020/21 than in 2019/20, driven by a 15.5% decrease in electricity emissions and a 19.3% decrease in emissions from transportation.

Emissions from the company’s distribution fleet have been reduced by continued investment in hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

Total energy consumption for A.F. Blakemore in 2020/21 was down by 13.6% from 2019-20, with electricity consumption falling by 7.4%.

The business has continued to roll out high-efficiency lighting at stores and depots to replace fluorescent types, and to replace chiller equipment with more efficient new units and refrigerants with lower global warming potential.

In 2020 A.F. Blakemore also launched an energy reduction programme to lower energy usage across its Blakemore Retail SPAR store estate by encouraging colleagues to switch off air conditioning, lighting and non-essential items when they are not needed. In the year to 30th September the energy reduction programme cut energy usage by 4.8%.

The company remains committed to improving energy efficiencies as well as using energy from renewable sources. 
 

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