RKMS Group, a family-owned training and consultancy organisation established in 1994, have been aided on their carbon neutrality journey thanks to the ECO-I North West Project at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
To start their carbon neutrality journey, RKMS Group contacted the Business Team at the University and were placed with Meenakshy Sabu, a student from the School of Engineering and Computing. Meenakshy assisted with the calculation of their carbon footprint and identifying ways to reduce their future carbon footprint.
Alongside this, Meenakshy was tasked with creating various documents and a process to capture the data needed to calculate the carbon footprint at RKMS Group. These documents have been slightly adapted and are still being used today. Joshua Keen at RKMS Group said: “Without UCLan and the placement of one of their students, we wouldn’t have been able to declare ourselves carbon neutral and put a carbon management reduction plan in place due to being at full capacity. However, it was very high on our priorities list.”
Talking about the company’s experience with the student, Joshua noted: “The student was very independent and self-directed. This enabled them to fit straight into the project and get to work with very little guidance.”
"Without UCLan and the placement of one of their students, we wouldn’t have been able to declare ourselves carbon neutral and put a carbon management reduction plan in place due to being at full capacity."
— Joshua Keen at RKMS Group
Reflecting on her internship experience with RKMS Group, Meenakshy commented: “Working for the ECO-I Internship with the entire team was a fantastic experience and great exposure for me. Everyone, especially Josh, was extremely helpful in completing the entire project. It was my first time working in a professional setting, and I'm hoping it will help me in my career.”
As part of their journey to Net Zero, RKMS Group have committed to a reduction plan which will see them undertake many initiatives. A few examples of these plans are to participate in the government’s ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme and offer discounted travel cards for public transport in London, plus the installation of a smart thermostat.
Looking to the future, RKMS Group are looking to partner with a number of providers to supply energy efficient measures such as LED lighting, air source/ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal to grow their carbon neutrality offering.
As the government funding for this project ended on 30 June 2023 please visit the Centre for Waste Management page for more information. For any other support for your business please contact our Business Enquiries Team or call us on +44 (0) 1772 895500. This support could be related to your research, development, training and consultancy needs.
