CAFOD's new green scheme: turning bills into windmills

Members of the Catholic community in England and Wales are being offered an extra incentive to ‘go green’ this winter: a new partnership has been announced between the Catholic aid agency CAFOD and Britain’s first green electricity company Ecotricity, which this week announced it would freeze its fuel bills until April 2014.

Ecotricity have agreed that - for every new customer who switches to their electricity via the special link on their website, www.ecotricity.co.uk/cafod - they will donate £40 to support CAFOD’s work, and £60 if they switch their gas and electricity. So by changing their energy supplier to Ecotricity, Catholics can not only make their contribution to protecting the environment, but help CAFOD to support those living in poverty overseas.

Mark Neveu, Partnerships Manager at Ecotricity, said: “It’s great to be working with CAFOD on this initiative. The link-up carries a double benefit: aiding CAFOD with their vital work helping some of the world’s poorest communities; as well as encouraging more people to make the switch to green energy. One of the most significant things you can do to cut your carbon emissions is to switch to a green energy provider – and at Ecotricity we offer 100% green energy for less than the standard Big Six electricity tariff in your region and the standard gas price from British Gas wherever you live.”

Ben Oldham, CAFOD’s head of corporate partnerships, said: “Ecotricity is a great example of how we would like to see all businesses operate. They don’t just supply green energy – they make it too – and are truly committed to a sustainable future for everyone. As Catholics, we are called to live harmoniously with the environment and taking advantage of this offer is a brilliant way for our supporters to do just that. Winter is upon us, and with many of the major players in the energy market increasing their prices and maximising their profits, there really couldn’t be a better time to switch to an ethical, green alternative.”

Ecotricity is a UK-based company which launched in 1996. Its stated mission is to realise its vision of a Green Britain: a place in which everyone lives more sustainable lives and where ethical businesses are the norm. It is a not-for-dividend company and all profits go towards funding its mission.

Energy supplied by Ecotricity is sourced from 100% renewable energy sources and not fossil fuels. In addition 66% of all the money that supporters spend on their energy bills is invested in developing green energy technology in the UK.

Ecotricity’s donations to CAFOD can only be paid if new customers sign-up via the link: www.ecotricity.co.uk/cafod or by calling 08000 302 302 and quoting CAFOD1.