2009 Highlights
- Carbon Trust Standard
We became the first UK transport operator to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in recognition of our work to reduce carbon emissions. - 16% site energy reduction
We achieved a 16% reduction in site energy* as a result of the commitment of our employees and new energy efficient lighting systems. - Improved efficiency
Across our bus operations we have made significant investments in engine monitoring technology and driver training schemes. This has resulted in fuel efficiency improvements of around 5%. - Renewable sources
Around 75% of our site electricity is generated from renewable sources including hydro-power, wind-power and biomass fuels. - Energy saving
The introduction of regenerative braking on the third rail system has resulted in around a 5% reduction in traction electricity usage on the Southern network. - Energy Forums
Five Group energy forums were held this year where operating companies share best and emerging practice on reducing carbon emissions. - Gold Rating
For the third year in a row Go-Ahead achieved a gold rating in Business in the Community’s (BITC) Responsibility Index - the highest rating amongst comparable participating public transport operators.
- *Like for like comparison. Gas consumption data has been normalised by use of degree days to account for variations in temperature.
Operating our companies in a socially and environmentally responsible manner is a key part of the Group’s strategy and is deeply embedded across our organisation at all levels.
Benchmarking our performance
We continue to participate in the Business in the Community (BITC) Corporate Responsibility Index. These voluntary indices help us to compare performance against other leading UK businesses, including many FTSE 100 companies. For the third year in a row we were awarded a gold rating by BITC, the highest rating amongst comparable participating public transport operators. In achieving this level, Go-Ahead has demonstrated that it improves responsibility throughout its operations by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.
In December 2008 we became the first public transport company to be officially certified with the Carbon Trust Standard. The Carbon Trust Standard is the UK's only independent certification recognising achievements in action on climate change by leading organisations in industry, commerce and the public sector. It is also the world’s first carbon award scheme that requires an organisation to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year.
We have been included in the FTSE4Good index every year since its creation.
Our responsibilities
Through engagement with stakeholders we have identified seven key areas of responsibility:
- Safety & Security
- Improving our environmental performance
- Reliability, convenience, punctuality
- Accessibility for all
- Affordability
- Community relationships
- Role as an employer
Our performance against all of these issues can be found in our corporate responsibility web report and accompanying summary document. We are in the process of standardising and enhancing our responsibility targets across the Group and look forward to reporting on these next year.
This section focuses on how we manage our safety and environmental performance and highlights key achievements this year.
Robust management
The safety and security of our passengers, our people and the general public is an absolute priority for the Group. The Board also places a significant emphasis on improving energy efficiency as this has important environmental benefits and helps to reduce operating costs. We do not have separate Board level committees for corporate responsibility and health & safety as we believe it is fundamental for the Board as a whole to be involved in these areas, which are integral to our business.
We believe that effective management can only be achieved through robust measurement. Internal safety and energy targets for each of our twelve operating companies are set at the beginning of each financial year. Performance against safety targets is linked to both operating company senior managers’ and Group Executive Directors’ remuneration.
The Group’s flat structure enables the Board to closely monitor the performance of each operating company. For example, safety and energy KPIs are reviewed at monthly operating company board meetings, chaired by the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director. See the Corporate Governance section for more information about how our devolved management structure enables the Group to be managed in a particularly effective way.
