Driving Energy Further is our industry leading carbon reduction programme, where tough targets, combined with sustained action, is making a real difference to the environment
Our parent company Go-Ahead started the programme in 2008, and by 2015 had achieved a 15.9% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger (on a like for like basis). Go-Ahead has now set a new target to further reduce its emissions by 10% by 2018.
Driving Energy Further has two key objectives:
- To improve the energy efficiency of our rail operations and reduce site energy usage
- To grow passenger numbers by delivering quality services that provide an attractive alternative to the car
Since launching Driving Energy Further, we’ve invested around £7m in technology to help improve our energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. In addition to important environmental benefits, our carbon reduction strategy has resulted in cost savings of around £10m per annum.
A key element to the programme’s success is employee engagement. In line with devolved nature of Govia, operating companies have different structures in place in order to motivate and encourage staff to improve energy efficiency and reduce their business’ carbon footprint. For example Southeastern awards ‘Golden Run’ awards to the most energy efficient drivers and Southern have Staff Energy Champions throughout the business.