Transport giant urges Britain to think green
- 5th June 2009

Rail operator First Hull Trains is urging its staff and passengers to think green. First Hull Trains is helping to promote World Environment Day on June 5th, the United Nations' flagship environmental event which is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Through First Hull Trains' internal and external websites and publications the company is encouraging everyone to 'Cut a Kilo of CO2' on World Environment Day. Carbon dioxide emissions from trains and buses are respectively 53% and 47% lower per passenger kilometre than those from cars, so leaving the car at home is a key message in First Hull Trains' campaign.

Mark Leving, Managing Director of First Hull Trains, said: "World Environment Day is a fantastic opportunity for those who normally drive to seriously consider public transport, cycling or walking.

"At First Hull Trains we see ourselves as part of the solution to the climate change problem. By providing a safe, reliable and cost effective alternative to the car, we hope to encourage even more people to travel on our trains. I hope that on June 5th people will not just try to 'Cut out a Kilo of Co2' but will also consider long term alternatives to the car."

First Hull Trains has a range of measures designed to ensure its trains operate more efficiently including encouraging its drivers to drive more efficiently and reduce unnecessary idling.

In addition, First Hull Trains will publish useful energy saving tips to its office staff to cut a kilo of CO2 on World Environment Day.

These include:
- Using recycled paper as opposed to regular paper for printing and copying
- Switching off computer monitor at lunchtime for 45 minutes
- Switching off the lights in rooms not being used
- Turning down the office thermostat by just 0.5 0C
- Turning off the air conditioning and opening a window for 2 hours

Through the company's internal campaign ‘Small Changes Big Difference', First Hull Trains has been raising awareness of climate change amongst its employees for some time. This campaign highlights that a few small changes to individual behaviour can make a big difference to the company's carbon footprint.

In 2007, FirstGroup, First Hull Trains parent company, published its industry leading Climate Change Strategy which set out ambitious targets to reduce emissions from its UK Bus Division by 25% and Rail Division by 20% both by 2020. In the last year FirstGroup can point to a number of environmental achievements which will help meet those targets:

- First has achieved a 3% reduction in energy usage in UK Bus and UK Rail compared to 2006/07.
- First has achieved a 6% increase in waste recycling in UK Bus compared to 2006/07.
- CO2 emissions from business travel has reduced by 11%.
- In April 2008 all First bus and train operating companies in England and Scotland became accredited to the ISO14001 environmental management system standard.
- In July 2008 First's operations in the UK were accredited under the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS). This is a leading independent emission reduction award scheme that recognises organisations that can demonstrate energy savings through management commitment and investment in energy efficiency measures. FirstGroup is the first transport company to complete the accreditation since the scheme was extended to include transport emissions.
- Earlier this year, First revealed that is has begun trials in Bristol to run a bus powered by fuel made from waste cooking oil from local chip shops and restaurants.