Carrefour : Italy winner of the “Good energy award 2015”

The first Italian award dedicated to virtuous businesses in the fields of renewable energy and energy savings, created by Bernoni Grant Thornton, is now celebrating its sixth year of existence.

Milan, September 29, 2015 - Carrefour Italy (Milan) for the category Tertiary, Melinda (Cles - Trento) for the category Industry, the Municipality of Vigodarzere (Padua) for the category Public Administration and Public Utilities and Sinapsi Tech (Bastia Umbra - Perugia) for the category Start-up are the winners of the sixth edition of the 'Good Energy Award 2015.' This was the verdict handed down by the Prize Jury created by Bernoni Grant Thornton, which was the first in Italy to propose the recognition by award of those companies that have had the courage to invest in an innovative, non-traditional market, in a manner that shows responsibility for the environment, the economy and the region.

Among the more than 50 companies, the Jury identified three finalists for each . Carrefour Italy won the prize in the category Tertiary.

The Carrefour Italy Group is a major retailer in Italy. The company is present in 19 regions of Italy with a total of 1,136 stores (as of 6/30/2015) and more than 20,000 employees. The Group demonstrates its commitment to energy conservation and sustainability. Reducing the environmental impact of business activities and raising the awareness of customers and employees about the rational use of energy resources are at the heart of Carrefour's approach to sustainable development. The Group has set an objective for itself to reduce its energy consumption per square meter by 30% compared to 2005 and to reduce its CO2 emissions by 40% compared to 2009 - by 2020. Electricity consumption accounts for over 90% of its stores' energy consumption, and is therefore a priority to work on to achieve its objectives.

Carrefour has presented in particular a project that describes the innovative technologies installed in the Carrefour Market at Siena Square in Milan, aimed not only at energy efficiency, but above all at sustainability in terms of reducing CO2. There are two types of technologies employed at Siena Square: the use of non-chemical, but natural gas for refrigerated displays, which mean the impact on the environment is decreased by 3800 volts compared to using chemical gas in traditional systems. Using full LED lighting instead of traditional fluorescent lights, which ensures a reduction in electricity consumption of 70% and has a strong impact in terms of the environment.

The awards ceremony was held at the headquarters of 'Il Sole 24 Ore' an Italian national daily business newspaper at Via Monte Rosa 91 in Milan.