Bradford-based motor group JCT 600 has launched a drive across its network of 48 dealerships to cut its carbon footprint.

The roll-out of the programme at its dealerships in Yorkshire, Humberside, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and the North East, follows a pilot scheme at three sites, including the BMW dealership on Sticker Lane, Bradford.

The initiative includes energy awareness training for staff; the appointment of ‘energy champions’; ‘smart’ metering to monitor electricity and gas usage; installing extra timer control systems for electrical equipment, and reviewing all lighting design and its use.

Mark Taylor, group property director, said: “Although we do not fall into the Government’s CRC energy-efficiency scheme, we formed our own carbon reduction strategy.

“It would be reasonable to expect our initiative to save up to 20 per cent energy use, which will go some way to offsetting the inevitable annual energy price increases.”