Parity Projects founder is named do-it-yourself champion at national newspaper Ethical Awards

The founder of an eco-refurbishment firm has been named the Do-It-Yourself champion at this year鈥檚 Observer Ethical Awards.

Russell Smith has upgraded a Victorian house in Carshalton, which has already achieved a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 60% reduction in energy usage. Over 1,000 people have visited the house since the scheme started.

The prize, awarded last week, adds to the gong he won at the 好色先生TV Sustainability Awards last year in the 99% Refurbishment category.

Smith said: 鈥淭he real success of our Eco Renovation demonstration project is that it proves that anyone can 鈥榞reen their home鈥 as we chose a very hard house to convert.鈥

The judges of the Observer awards panel said: 鈥淩ussell and his company Parity Projects stood out from all the other nominations for their new way of engaging with the public, giving them the tools to reduce their house鈥檚 carbon footprint in an innovative and inspiring way.鈥