news

Stagecoach Group highly commended in top environmental awards

Posted: 8 July 2011 | Stagecoach Group | No comments yet

Stagecoach Group’s commitment to sustainability recognised at the inaugural 2011 BusinessGreen Leaders Awards…

ADL Trident double deck Stagecoach bus

ADL Trident double deck Stagecoach bus

Stagecoach Group’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised at the inaugural 2011 BusinessGreen Leaders Awards.

The Perth-based transport group was highly commended in the main Company of the Year category at the awards ceremony held in London last night (7 July).

Stagecoach, which was nominated for its commitment to becoming a greener business, was among companies honoured for leading the way in helping build a low carbon economy.

The Group launched a new sustainability strategy last year and is investing £11million in a range of measures to meet its environmental targets.

Stagecoach is targeting an overall reduction of 8% in buildings CO2 emissions and a cut of 3% in annual fleet transport CO2e emissions by April 2014. It follows a reduction in the carbon intensity of its UK businesses of 5.7% in the three years to 30 April 2009.

It is estimated the company’s five-year programme, from 2009-10 to 2013-14, will save a total of nearly 150,000 tonnes of CO2e, with the Group’s annual emissions reduced by around 40,000 tonnes CO2e by April 2014.

Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Sir Brian Souter, who has been the driving force behind the Group’s environmental strategy, was also a shortlisted finalist in the Leader of the Year category.

Steven Stewart, Stagecoach Group Director of Communications, said: “This latest recognition for the work we are doing in trying to become a more sustainable business is a tribute to the actions of our people right across the business, including the thousands of bus drivers and train staff who serve our customers every day.

“As well as reducing the impact of our own business on the environment, we are also working hard to help people lead greener lifestyles by switching from the car to smarter bus and rail travel.”

Last year, Stagecoach Group was awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon emissions.

Measures Stagecoach is taking to reduce its carbon footprint include:

  • the introduction of a hi-tech eco-driving system, which is expected to reduce fuel consumption across its UK bus fleet by 4%
  • leading the UK with the introduction of new green hybrid electric buses, which produce 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles
  • introducing the UK’s first Bio-buses in Kilmarnock, which operate on 100% bio-fuel made from used cooking oil and other food industry by-products.
  • investing £2.2 million in a major regenerative braking project to save energy on more than 200 trains.
  • using an innovative fuel additive – the first of its kind in the UK – to boost train fuel economy
  • an innovative energy-saving engine standby mode, which automatically shuts down most engine power when the train is stationary in a station, helping reduce carbon emissions.

For further information on Stagecoach Group visit www.stagecoach.com

Related organisations