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transport and emissions to air
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- Transport: business mileage (Operations)
- Transport: carbon dioxide emissions (Operations)
- Transport: sulphur dioxide emissions (Operations)
- Transport: nitrogen oxide emissions (Operations)
- Transport: particulate emissions (Operations)
- Transport: volatile organic emissions (Operations)
- Maintain the downward trend in the environmental impact of the bank's car and van fleet. TARGET ACHIEVED
- Develop conversion factors for SO2, particulates, NOx and VOCs to cover air, rail and freight. TARGET ACHIEVED
- Research and, if warranted, facilitate the introduction of a secure Car Share Scheme for staff in their travel to and from
work. TARGET NOT ACHIEVED
- Draw to the attention of staff the bank's interest-free season ticket loan. TARGET ACHIEVED
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performance
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*Excludes freight.
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Follow this link for details of all conversion
factors used in this report. |
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commentary
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Background If no action is taken, UK road traffic is predicted
to rise by a third over the next 20 yearsii. Although new vehicle
models are producing fewer emissions, this will be more than
outweighed by their number and the distances people drive.
Road traffic is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse
gas emissions that cause climate change. It also adds
substantially to local air pollution.
Company car fleet For the past two years, the bank has
sourced company car vehicles principally from Peugeot and,
historically, has taken unleaded petrol models from the 306,
406 and 806 ranges. However, in 2001, diesel vehicles were
added to the bank's range following the development of a
model that incorporates a particulate trap. Approximately 70%
of fleet drivers opted for this new, more environmentally sound
model when reviewing their cars in the last quarter of 2001.
The particulate trap works by destroying microscopic particles
before they can leave the engine, thus virtually eliminating
emissions which are a major contributor to various lung
ailments. High particulate emissions were the primary reason
for the bank previously deciding not to purchase diesel
vehicles. In time, this change in the bank's fleet profile will
make a significant contribution to reduced CO2 emissions, as
the bank's diesel vehicles emit around 15 to 30% less CO2
than equivalent petrol vehicles. Additionally, the bank
estimates that by switching to this model, drivers will be on
average £700 better off due to a reduction in fuel costs and
preferential 'Benefit In Kind' taxation.
Carbon dioxide emissions Total bank mileage has increased
by 300,000 miles, or 5%. This is largely due to an increase in
employee car travel. However, the introduction to the bank's
company car fleet of the diesel vehicles, together with reduced
mail freight, has contributed to a 3% reduction in total CO2
emissions (with CO2 emissions per customer account down by
6% compared with 2000).
Video conferencing Following the trial of video conferencing
facilities in Head Office, Manchester, and Prescot St, London,
a further trial unit was installed in Delf House, Skelmersdale, in
October. During 2001, a total of 36 meetings made use of
video conferencing facilities, which saved 16,351km of rail
travel and 72,592km of air travel. This resulted in a saving of
12 tonnes of CO2. Much greater reductions are anticipated as
staff become more comfortable with the technology.
Personal travel For more than 10 years, the bank has offered
interest-free loans for public travel season tickets. During
2001, 97 such loans were taken up by bank staff. This low take
up is despite featuring articles on the loan scheme within the
bank's staff magazine, Banknotes. Uptake of loans, has
regrettably fallen each year since 1997, when 213 were
taken out.
Freight The movement of the bank's freight, principally mail,
cheques and cash, is carried out by three firms. During 2001,
Consignia handled 9.2% less of the bank's external mail.
Securitas UK provides the bank with mileage incurred for
carriage of cheques and cash. Securicor is currently unable to
provide data.
Other emissions This year, the bank has expanded its
reporting of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx),
particulates and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Emissions of SO2 have reduced significantly (51%) as a result
of the rapid penentration on to the market of low sulphur fuels.
The greater use of diesel fleet vehicles has led to a reduction
of VOCs, whilst the penetration of three-way catalytic
converters into the cars of employees has reduced emissions
of NOx and VOCs. In total, NOx and VOCs from cars have
fallen by 58% since 2000.
Environmental Transport Association (ETA) Throughout
2001, the bank has worked with the ETA to provide road
rescue breakdown for its corporate customers, who also enjoy
a special rebate. For more information, call ETA Fleet
Membership department on 0800 212 810, quoting reference
16554001.
 By comparison, according to their 1999/00 Environmental
Report, Credit Suisse Group air travel amounts to 1,900 km
per employee and land travel amounts to 75 km per employee
(cf 94.5km and 2,356km per employee at The Co-operative
Bank). It should be noted that Credit Suisse Group has
operations world-wide, whilst The Co-operative Bank is largely
UK based. |
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- www.co-operativebank.co.uk/partnership2001/pr/conversions.html
- DETR, Quality of life counts 1999
To follow any of the links mentioned within the Partnership Report 2001, please visit the links page.
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ethical and ecological value analysis
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- Annual cost of providing interest-free season ticket loans totalling £141,431 (based on a discount rate of 8%) amounts to – £11,000
- Since 1997, car hire has reduced by 40 vehicles per week, leading to an annualised cost saving of – £74,000
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new target
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- Maintain the downward trend in the environmental impact of the bank's car and van fleet.
John Sheerin, Purchasing and Facilities Manager/Mark Henry, Business Analyst
- Explore the possibility of working with the bank's chosen car hire provider to utilise more environmentally sound options.
Chris Mottershaw, Purchasing Manager/Becky Toal, Ecological Analyst
- Re-emphasise the bank's interest-free season ticket loan scheme to all staff.
- Encourage staff to use the video conferencing facilities.
- Research and, if warranted, facilitate the introduction of a secure Car Share Scheme for staff in their travel to and from work.
Becky Toal, Ecological Analyst
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The above data and commentary has been audited by ethics etc... |
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