Calor awarded Big Tick in Business in the Communitys Responsible Business Awards

Calor was presented with the Big Tick at the West Midlands Responsible Business Awards Gala Dinner on Wednesday 11 June at Warwickshire Country Cricket Club. The Big Tick is awarded by BITC to businesses who demonstrate significant achievement in their responsible business programme.

Calor developed the FREE initiative in 2010 to help tackle rural fuel poverty and promote effective energy efficiency advice and behaviours in off-gas grid communities across Britain, and raise awareness of the broad issues of rural fuel poverty, energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

Since 2010, the programme has enabled key stakeholders to work together to deliver practical help directly to rural communities. This includes rural fuel poverty mentoring sessions, energy audits for households and the creation of bespoke advice materials. As a result of the FREE initiative, rural fuel poverty has been mapped for the first time and specific causes identified. It is now seen as distinct from urban fuel poverty and the government acknowledges it requires specific policies.

In addition to the Big Tick award, Calor is one of four companies that have been shortlisted for the Dairy Crest Rural Action Award which recognises businesses that are helping to address issues faced by rural communities. The winner of the award will be announced on 8 July 2014 in London at Business in the Community’s National Awards Gala Dinner, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Stephen Rennie, Calor’s Managing Director said “Calor is extremely proud to have been awarded a Big Tick for FREE. Calor has been actively working to reduce rural fuel poverty and has committed over £1 million to this initiative. Those living in off-grid, more remote, communities face significant challenges in making their homes energy-efficient. FREE brings together a network of expert partners to help both individual households and local communities work together to tackle fuel poverty and promote energy efficiency.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “All year round, responsible businesses across the UK are contributing towards more resilient communities, stimulating local economies, creating diverse, skilled and healthy workforces and addressing skills shortages – yet these activities rarely get attention. The Responsible Business Awards shine a much needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. Each of the companies recognised are playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all. I congratulate Calor for its Big Tick, which is a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.” For further information about the impact and background to the 2014 successful Award stories, visit www.bitc.org.uk/awardstories