Brighton & Hove and Metrobus parent company named as ‘European Climate Leader’
• Go-Ahead features on Financial Times’ European Climate Leaders list 2021
• Only two European bus and rail operators qualify for the 300-strong ranking
• The group has cut carbon emissions by 7.5% annually per €1 million of revenue
• Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, part of Go-Ahead Group, has dramatically cut its carbon emissions
Brighton & Hove and Metrobus’ parent company Go-Ahead Group, has been named a ‘European Climate Leader’ by the Financial Times for its carbon cutting initiatives.
The FT gathered data on more than 4,000 European companies. The top 300 ‘Climate Leaders’ achieved the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity between 2014 to 2019, measured according to tonnes of carbon emissions per €1 million of revenue.
Go-Ahead cut its emissions intensity by 7.5% every year from 2014-2019 and was one of only two bus and rail operators in Europe to make the list.
Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, which is part of the Go-Ahead Group, has made real strides locally to dramatically cut carbon emissions and fuel use and to improve air quality for everybody.
Over the past two years, the bus company has invested more than £20 million in 54 new Enviro400ER buses, which are set to run in zero emissions in the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in Brighton’s city centre. It is currently exploring extending that into other sensitive areas, like schools and hospitals.
The bus company is also planning to invest in hydrogen fuel cell electric buses on its high frequency Fastway services between Gatwick Airport and Horley, which would make them Europe’s first commercially operated hydrogen bus fleet. These buses do not generate any tailpipe CO2, unlike fossil fuels, and they can reach a 270-mile range or more with zero emissions.
It’s not just about buying buses. Brighton & Hove and Metrobus is committed to working with organisations like local councils to make bus travel quicker and more convenient, like introducing bus lanes, changing road layouts and running active travel campaigns that encourage people to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or take the bus.
Brighton & Hove and Metrobus Managing Director Martin Harris said: “This recognition from an independent third party is reassuring and shows that we are getting things right. It is scientific verification that we have been making good progress as a group and for our local communities well.
“We already replace millions of air-polluting trips by car and we are committed to aggressively decarbonising our fleet and exploring cleaner, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Public transport is one of the main solutions to poor air quality and congestion.”
Katy Taylor, Go-Ahead’s Chief Customer & Strategy Officer said: "We're pleased that Go-Ahead has been recognised for cutting carbon emissions. We will continue to ensure our buses, trains, depots and assets are as sustainable as possible – for the good of the planet and our passengers.
"However, we can all play our part in helping reduce emissions further. We need people to switch their journeys away from the car and to choose walking, cycling and public transport instead. That will have the biggest impact on reducing the UK's overall carbon emissions."