Co-op Bank switches to green power at HQ
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE CO-OPERATIVE BANK is reinforcing its ethical stance by powering its head office with hydro-electricity generated on the nearby Manchester Ship Canal.
The bank, noted for its ethical lending stance and other social policies, said the agreement that comes into force today will make it Britain's largest purchaser of green energy. With green power already in use at the London and Salford sites, nearly 40 per cent of the energy it uses comes from renewable sources.
Paul Monaghan, manager of Co-operative's ecology unit, said the initiative is helping the bank beat targets for reducing pollution and helping it to save money at the same time.
The project - under which electricity is produced by a turbine at the canal's Barton Dock - is run by ENER-G, a specialist producer of renewable energy, which sells it to the Renewable Energy Company, which in turn supplies the bank.
Dale Vince, managing director of the energy company, said he hoped other organisations would follow the bank's lead. "The greater demand, the more new `green generation' we can build," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments