Trust workers get 'green' day off

A blooming good idea? The National Trust is giving all staff a day off

The National Trust is giving its 54,000 staff and volunteers a day off to encourage them to lead greener lives.

In a campaign called "Leap forward for the climate", the charity wants its workers to use 29 February to reduce their carbon footprint.

They will be encouraged to switch to low-energy light bulbs and make other home improvements on their day off.

The National Trust is encouraging other companies to follow suit and give back workers their extra leap-year day off.

National Trust director general, Dame Fiona Reynolds, said: "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we are facing today.

"At the National Trust, we are looking at the impact of all our activities and how we can reduce this impact. Now we want our staff to do the same."

No couch potatoes

Staff will be asked to report back to managers detailing how they have changed to a greener lifestyle on their day off.

But they will not be punished if they spend it in the pub or in front of the TV.

They are also being urged to take the time off later in the year if they have unavoidable work commitments on 29 February.

If everybody gets involved... over 54,000 people could reduce their impact on the environment Dame Fiona Reynolds, National Trust director general

The National Trust employs 4,800 staff and relies on 49,000 volunteers to run more than 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is hoping other employers will follow its lead on a leap year, when people face an extra day in the office for no extra pay.

Fiona Reynolds added: "There are over 29 million employees in the UK; if just one million changed one light bulb and turned their thermostat down by one degree, it would save 351,000 tons of carbon."