Go-Ahead to make all buses and trains net zero by 2035
Go Ahead Group will run all 5000 of its buses and all of its trains on electric or hydrogen power by 2035, the firm announced this morning.
Under the new plan, the FTSE 250 firm will cut emissions from its operations 75 per cent by 2035, and to net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the government’s targets.
The firm will also seek to improve air quality and reduce water loss from its operations, as well as improving energy efficiency at its premises.
Since 2016, Go-Ahead has already achieved a 22 per cent reduction in emissions, in spite of expansion of the business.
Go-Ahead is ranked ‘A minus’ by the Carbon Disclosure Project – the highest of any UK transport operator.
Outgoing chief exec David Brown called for a shift in attitudes to public transport, saying that people should only use cars as a last resort.
He said: “Climate change is the number one challenge facing society and in order to address it, we must make radical changes to the way we travel.
“If we’re serious about protecting the health of our planet, then businesses such as Go-Ahead
must show leadership.
“Our climate change plan is ambitious but deliverable, and is consistent with international goals of
limiting any increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.
“We will play our part by decarbonising our business and by investing in environmentally sustainable technology. We hope our commitment will be matched by a broader shift in public policy on transport by encouraging people to walk or cycle where possible, use buses and trains as an alternative but only use a car if absolutely necessary.”