Norwich's branch of John Lewis is to increase its green credentials by getting all of its energy from renewable sources.

Norwich's branch of John Lewis is to increase its green credentials by getting all of its energy from renewable sources.

As part of a plan rolled out to all 26 department stores plus 183 Waitrose stores, the city branch will have 100pc green energy from October this year.

EDF Energy, which gets about 40pc of its energy from renewable sources, will supply the firm.

An EDF spokesman said: “The renewable energy that EDF Energy will be supplying to John Lewis is derived from a portfolio of different sources which includes wind, small scale hydro, landfill, bio-gas, tidal and energy from waste.

“It is sourced from UK and European based generators, which are accredited by Ofgem for the Climate Change Levy renewable exemption scheme.”

Adrian Vincent, Norwich maintenance manager for John Lewis, said while there were no plans to install solar panels or small wind turbines, the store had already carried out work to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, with energy saving days in store.

“We started about two years ago before the public really became aware of it. We are not doing it just for business reasons but because we have a responsibility to the planet,” he said.

Other changes in store include switching lighting to low energy bulbs, turning off computers when they are not needed and applying for funding to replace high energy dishwashers with more efficient appliances.

Staff have also been issued with a green handbook, which includes top tips for saving energy while future plans include a new recycling

strategy to divert more waste from landfill.

John Lewis joins a growing number of companies announcing green initiatives.

Earlier this year, Marks and Spencer announced a £200m carbon reduction scheme which will see the company reduce its carbon footprint significantly in the next three years.

It includes a series of measures such as providing more locally produced foods and products to customers, engaging staff in energy efficiency and generating power through a number of renewable energy schemes.

While Telecoms giant BT extended a contract to buy green power for another three years last month having signed the original contract to receive renewable energy from Npower and British Gas Business two years ago as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions.