Pledge 3 - 100% green fleet by 2028

We are making great progress on one of our climate change pledges through a series of green fleet initiatives.

In 2020-21 the 2,400 vehicles on the road across the region emitted the equivalent of 16,634 tonnes of carbon dioxide but by changing to electricity and alternative fuels the company expects to reduce this to nearly zero from 2029.

Over the last seven years we have been trialling the use of more environmentally friendly fuel with a number of its vehicles. We have now deployed 33 electric vehicles at operational sites and has also ordered eight Nissan ENV200’s and four Vauxhall Vivaro-e. These vehicles were chosen due to their size and real world range and the ability to meet company’s requirements. To support with the transition to electric vans, charge points are being installed across the businesses various sites, as well as at employees’ homes.

After a successful trial involving its 44 tonne HGV trucks running on compressed natural gas, we have now placed an order for four Iveco Stralis NP vehicles that will operate from its Bioresource centre in Davyhulme. As the gas is produced from natural sources, rather than fossil fuel it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and is cleaner burning - resulting in less pollutants. Feedback on the performance and economy of the truck was really positive, with re-fuelling straightforward at the gas stations across the Northwest.

We have also completed a trial of HVO (Hydrotreated vegetable oil) which was used in two of its trucks that provide customers with water if there are supply issues in the region.  HVO provides up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions as it’s manufactured from waste fats and vegetable oils. The trial was a success with driveability and fuel economy matching conventional diesel power.

We are now investigating replacing diesel with HVO in other plant equipment including boilers which could further reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. 

We are looking to go further still by encouraging employees to swap to electric vehicles through our salary sacrifice scheme launched in 2022. We are also supporting its suppliers like Sapphire Utility Solutions to reduce the emissions of its fleet as well.