Stagecoach Group is supporting pledges to help implement the world’s first universal climate change agreement, which has been signed in Paris.
The operator has backed faster delivery of the transformative changes needed to meet the climate change challenge. It is among 800 companies, cities, regions and investors from around the globe who have signed The Paris Pledge for Action.
The Group’s rail companies are also among 66 international operators backing the Railway Climate Responsibility Pledge.
Stagecoach has called on governments to prioritise public transport and take urgent, practical steps to incentivise the use of greener buses, coaches, trains and trams instead of cars.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: “It is vital the momentum of the agreement in Paris is maintained so it becomes a real and lasting turning point. That means turning pledges into practical action.
“Many individuals, organisations and businesses, like Stagecoach, are making changes in the way they live and work to help protect the future of our planet. That commitment must be matched by government action to prioritise public transport.
“There must be urgent, practical steps to incentivise the use of greener buses, coaches, trains and trams instead of cars. Our towns and cities also need to face up to the growing threat of traffic congestion to our environment, public health and the economy.”
Earlier this year, Stagecoach launched a new five-year sustainability strategy with a plan to reduce carbon emissions, cut water consumption and improve recycling at its transport operations.
By April 2019, the Group is aiming to:
- Reduce buildings carbon emissions by 7%;
- Cut like-for-like fleet transport carbon emissions by 2%;
- Lower water consumption by 9%; and
- achieve a waste recycling rate of 83%.
