We have floated the idea of a green 'helpline' for readers which would attempt to answer some of your questions about sustainable living.

Eye knows what a trial it all is. Myriad instructions from various officials about recycling; frantic searches for 'right on' manufacturers of products and providers of services. And we have to take ethics into account as well! Being an authentic sustainable consumer will soon be requiring its own degree course.

So we at The Friend want to help. Our environment editor Laurie has knowledge of, and access to, experts with experience of finding the right equipment, gadgets and services. He can also outline what the Quaker response is in these matters - but helpfully. To give a little taster of how this helpline would work, here is a - genuine - query from a reader and how Laurie dealt with it.

Who would you suggest as the greenest provider of gas? I have changed my electricity to ecotricity, have tried FOE but got no recommendations so I hope you can help.
Friend reader

'There is no 'sustainable' or 'renewable' source of gas in the UK at present. In the long term we could use biogas in our homes but we first need to get a lot more efficient so that renewable supplies could meet demand.

Most of the suppliers offer the opportunity to buy 'carbon offsets' either as a standard part of their gas tariff or as an add-on. I'm afraid I tend to call these 'guilt offsets' as I don't believe that either planting trees or paying somebody else to reduce their emissions can justify our continuing fossil fuels. The most important thing you can do is to find ways of reducing your consumption. This is not just about your own direct climate impact – it's also about us in the affluent world recognising that our lifestyles are others’ aspirations, and seeking to be patterns for a sustainable society.

While the suppliers use essentially the same sources of gas, and bring it to you through the same pipelines, there are major differences in the way they do business. Ethical Consumer magazine rates companies on a broad range of ethical measures and its current (July/Aug) issue looks at gas. The top rated of the major suppliers is Scottish and Southern. By the way, this company is also in the Friends Provident Stewardship portfolio.

The two best-rated suppliers are Utilita - which promotes energy saving and 'offsets' more strongly than the others; and Equigas, which has a similar ethical stance and offers gas and electricity in partnership with Scottish and Southern. Both of these have a commitment to equity in that they have the same tariffs however you pay, including customers on prepayment meters.'
Laurie Michaelis

That was a fairly straightforward enquiry, of course. We are prepared to tackle more complicated questions and point you in the right direction. We will publish some of the more interesting dilemmas which will help readers in similar situations. Send your queries to Green Help at editorial [at] thefriend.org or write to us at the office.

Labels: energy, gas, green, international quakers