14/09/2009
- Transport group in line for Best Green Travel Provider award
- Bio-Bus initiative nominated for Best Green PR Campaign
Transport Group Stagecoach is in the running for two top honours at the inaugural Scottish Green Awards.
The Perth-based transport giant has been shortlisted in the Best Green Travel Provider category while its innovative Bio-bus scheme is in line for the Best Green PR Campaign award.
The shortlisted entries further demonstrate Stagecoach's commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change by encouraging greater use of public transport as well as reducing carbon emissions within its bus and rail operations.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, Brian Souter, said: "We hope that by promoting our message of greener, smarter travel we can encourage our customers and staff to think about ways in which they can live greener lives.
"It's very pleasing to have our efforts recognised in this way and we will continue to promote low-carbon, reliable and good value public transport as well as striving to further reduce our own carbon footprint day in, day out across every area of our business."
Stagecoach has introduced a number of high-profile green initiatives, including the UK's first Bio-bus scheme in the west of Scotland which involves running eight vehicles on 100% bio-diesel. The bio-fuel is manufactured from used cooking oil and other food industry by-products, all from sustainable sources, and the project allows customers to exchange used cooking oil for discounted bus travel. Since the initiative was launched in October 2007, it has cut CO2 emissions from the buses by 80%, saving 1470 tonnes of carbon, and more than 66 tonnes of used cooking oil has been recycled.
Other Stagecoach green initiatives include the introduction of Scotland's first carbon neutral bus network between Edinburgh and Fife, and a Reverse Vending scheme in Ellon which allows passengers to recycle drinks cans and bottles, using a high-tech reverse vending machine, in return for discounted bus travel.
Earlier this year, Stagecoach held its first ever Group-wide Green Week to highlight the environmental benefits of using public transport and to show staff and passengers how the company is reducing its own carbon footprint.
Stagecoach has also launched a three-year Carbon Management Programme (CMP), in partnership with energy management consultancy Inenco, to further improve its environmental performance.
The Group's wide-ranging strategy to tackle climate change and make its business more sustainable includes:
- Investing in more fuel efficient vehicles
- Using alternative, renewable fuels
- Providing training in more efficient driving techniques
- Saving energy at offices and depots
- Conserving and recycling water
- Reducing and recycling waste
- Reducing business travel
- Providing affordable bus and rail travel
- Developing green travel plans and incentives for staff, customers and partner organisations.
The 2009 Scottish Green Awards, created by Scottish Business Insider in partnership with ScottishPower, aim to recognised organisations that encourage sustainability and tackle climate change. The awards ceremony takes place at the Glasgow Science Centre on 1 October 2009.
For further information on Stagecoach's sustainability strategy and measures the Group is undertaking to tackle climate change, visit www.stagecoach.com.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.
For further information contact:
Lindsay Reid
Corporate Communications Manager
Stagecoach Group
10 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 5TW
Phone: 01738 442111
Fax: 01738 443076
Mobile: 07500 446896
email: lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com
