August 23, 2006—The Co-operative Group has staked a claim as the first major retailer in the UK to switch all its outlets to green electricity.
Energy for all the group’s mainland sites, from more than 3,000 retail shops to its headquarters complex in Manchester, is now sourced from renewable energy.
The group says this move reinforces its green credentials and reflects its position as an outspoken corporate campaigner on the problems of climate change.
The Co-op has signed a three-year agreement with Scottish Power that guarantees supplies of green electricity for all its smaller sites. Major sites and distribution centers are subject to a separate arrangement but also use green power.
At the Manchester head office complex, work is now complete on cladding the service tower of the 400 ft CIS building in solar panels, the largest photo-voltaic project of its kind in Europe. The group has also created the biggest inner-city micro wind farm.
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Reprinted with permission; copyright 2006 i-FM
