Stagecoach commits to aligning carbon targets to Paris commitments and joins Race to Zero
Stagecoach has ramped up its sustainability commitments by joining the United Nations-backed Race to Zero initiative and submitting its carbon reduction plans for independent ratification by the Science Based Targets initiative as part of its roadmap to become a carbon neutral business by 2050.
The operator has joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, which includes many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies that are aiming to halve global emissions by 2030. The initiative is designed to provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in line with what is necessary to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Stagecoach has committed to aligning its ambition with keeping global warming to 1.5°C and reaching science-based net-zero emissions by 2050.
The move follows the publication of its sustainability strategy, Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work, which was accompanied by a call from the groups chief executive Martin Griffiths for assistance from government to help deliver a net-zero emissions economy.
“We are delighted to have committed to the Race to Zero initiative and to set stretching carbon reduction targets that are in line with climate science,” says Griffiths. “We have a very clear ambition to help meet the biggest challenge of our times, and around transport there is an opportunity for us all to make a huge difference.
“Most importantly, we have identified detailed plans to future-proof our business and deliver our net zero ambition. But it will take the collective efforts of governments across the globe, consistent pro-public transport policies and changes by everyone in how we live and travel if we are to make this a reality.”
The group estimates that its pre-Covid GHG footprint in 2018-19 was 512,241 tCO2e. It is aiming to decarbonise its business by around 70 per cent by 2035 as well as targeting a zero emissions bus fleet across the UK by that date.