National Express is committed to taking the lead in shaping the low carbon economy and developing itself as a low carbon business. National Express recognises its wider role in the community, and the increasing importance of becoming more efficient and playing a role in protecting the broader environment.
National Express East Coast, as the cleanest, most efficient railway in the UK, aims to endorse these ambitions. As part of the franchise, we are committed to taking the lead through a range of environmental projects, including a commitment to reduce the average carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre from 36 grammes to 26 grammes over the course of the franchise.
In particular, we will be taking the environmental lead through the following initiatives:
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Expending £400,000 on schemes to reduce energy use at stations and depots
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Ambitious plans to work with grant funding organisations to enable us to install solar and wind power generations at selected stations and depots
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Conduct an extensive waste reduction review
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Install rainwater harvesting facilities at key depots along the East Coast mainline
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Reduce the quantity of non-hazardous waste disposed currently going to landfill by 50% from 2006 levels of approximately 3,500 tonnes
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We will be using a renewable electricity tariff to provide energy for all our locations
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We will be undertaking trials of energy efficient measures on our train fleet
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Develop company 'Green' Travel Plans
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Extra cycle storage spaces at stations and a continuation of the current cycle reservation system for carrying cycles on board
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Develop a certified framework for managing environmental issues across the business
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We will report publicly on our environmental performances
As a Group, we are dedicated to minimising our impact on the environment. In April 2007 National Express was part of the Climate Group’s launch of the ‘We’re in this Together’ campaign, involving 9 other leading brands committed to providing customers with products and services which reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We’re also part of the WWF’s One Planet Business Programme. In 2007 we were placed 14th in the FTSE 350 for Ethical Issues by the Observer in a survey run by EIRIS in conjunction with Cooperative Investments. More information about our performance can be gathered from our Group Corporate Social Responsibility report which can be found at www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx/cr.
We will post further updates on our website to ensure our customers are kept up to date on how we are delivering against our commitments.
To request a copy of our Environmental Policy or if you have any observations or further suggestions for National Express to consider, please provide us with any thoughts or comments by emailing c.relations@nationalexpress.com