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Print articleFirst outlines ambitious targets to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions it generates by up to 25% throughout its UK bus and rail operations. Plans to reduce emissions from First buildings and policies to encourage First employees to rely less on private transport were also revealed. In total, this will represent a carbon dioxide reduction of around quarter of a million tonnes.
For its UK Bus operations, the company has targeted a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2005 / 2006 of:
* 5% by April 2008, * 8% by 2012 and * 25% by April 2020
For UK rail operations, First has targeted a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2005 / 2006 of:
* 5% by April 2008, * 10% by April 2012 and * 20% by April 2020
Moir Lockhead, chief executive of FirstGroup plc said: ?Reducing its carbon footprint should be a key strategic aim for every organisation. We have a collective responsibility to leave the planet in as good a shape as is possible for future generations.
?The surface transport sector is a contributor to overall carbon dioxide emissions, although bus and rail produce significantly less emissions than air travel or cars. Public transport offers a real opportunity to significantly reduce these emissions and we are doing our utmost to encourage motorists to consider public transport as a safe, sustainable, reliable and cost effective alternative to the car.?
Per passenger kilometre cars emit 109 grammes of carbon dioxide and air travel 180 grammes. Per passenger kilometre buses emit 76 grammes and passenger rail 49 grammes.
Lockhead continued: ?We carry two billion passengers per year on our buses and trains and see ourselves as part of the solution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Promoting the benefits of public transport and encouraging passenger growth is therefore a key part of our contribution to combating climate change. Our aim is to encourage more people to travel with us. If we continue to increase our passenger numbers across our current operations the environmental impact of each passenger journey will be further reduced.?
?However, we want to go further and reduce the impact of our own operations,? he added. ?We are setting ourselves tough targets in order to keep our companies focused on the environment in the short and long term. To meet those 2020 objectives will require a wide series of innovative and groundbreaking initiatives from investing in new technology to developing and trialling alternative fuels and changing the way we operate.
?Whilst these are demanding targets now, the process is dynamic and we fully expect to push these further, year-on-year, as new technologies / processes come on stream. Nevertheless, these goals will ensure that everyone in the company recognises they have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment. We will continue to aim to be the industry's leader in providing safe, innovative and reliable transport services, and added to which, our climate change strategy demonstrates our firm commitment to sustainability.?
FirstGroup also announced that it will be working with 'Forum for the Future' to build upon its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Sally Uren, business programme director at Forum for the Future said:
?This is an important contribution by FirstGroup to the climate change debate - and it is particularly pleasing to see a transport company make such a public commitment to reducing its carbon emissions.
?By providing a lower-carbon alternative to the private car, the surface transport sector can contribute significantly to tackling climate change. However, while First continues to raise awareness and encourage greater use of public transport, the company has also recognised that reducing its own emissions is an equally vital step forward.?
