Center Parcs engages employees in energy efficiency

12 December 2012, source edie newsroom

One of Center Parc's village squares at Elveden Forest

Family holiday company Center Parcs has launched a UK-wide scheme encouraging employees to engage with energy saving away from the workplace.

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In an industry first, the company will reward employees by matching in cash any savings they make on their gas, electricity and water household usage over the next 12 months.

The employee who reduces their energy consumption the most will be awarded £7,000 to spend on home improvements related to sustainability.

In 2011, Center Parcs introduced a financial bonus to all staff based on carbon savings, alongside its already existing bonus scheme.

The business has reduced its carbon emissions by 7% in the past 12 months, and in 2011 was named joint first in the Carbon Reduction Commitment League table.

Center Parcs UK chief executive Martin Dalby said: "Over the past few years we've been working hard to educate staff about how they can change their behaviour at work to help us achieve the business' carbon reduction target of 20% by 2020, and I'm confident this knowledge will be invaluable in reducing their energy consumption at home too."

Alongside the 20% carbon reduction target, Center Parcs also aims to have zero waste to landfill by 2015 and to continue its biodiversity commitment to maintaining and enhancing the wildlife and habitats in all its locations.

The company claims its new holiday village, Center Parcs Woburn Forest, due to open in 2014, aims to set a new benchmark with carbon emissions 25% below the average for the four existing Villages.

Dalby added: "Our offering to guests is built around escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life and getting back to nature.

"For me, it is this nature that we must protect. Every initiative and scheme we introduce is designed for the long-term, whether that's to protect the world around us or to encourage the long-term employment of our staff, some of whom have been with us for over 25 years."

Conor McGlone