Climate Week Best Campaign 2012

Andrew Mitchell MP

MP (Con Sutton Coldfield), International Development Secretary

"Fifteen per cent of UK crbon emissions come from public and commercial buildings. Therefore, substantial and cost-effective reductions in carbon emissions from buildings will be an essential part of the UK's ambition to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

Retailers who keep their doors open while heating or cooling the store are wasting significant amounts of energy. The Close the Door campaign asks retailers and customers to stop this by simply closing the shop door. This will help retailers to lower their costs as well as make a significant contribution to reducing their carbon emissions.

The scale of the UK's carbon reduction challenge is such that we need precisely these kinds of measures if the UK is to cut carbon emissions significantly. This innovative idea is an illustration of the Government's Big Society vision, where individuals, communities and groups join together to achieve common goals.

It is critical that we all pay attention to reducing energy use and emissions. I am therefore, pleased to support the Close the Door campaign."