Travis Perkins reduces fleet carbon emissions by 5%

Travis Perkins has reduced the emissions from its delivery fleet by 5% over a 24-month period.

The group, which is the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, says it is making “good progress” against the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)  accredited carbon reduction targets it announced last year.

The implementation of carbon data reporting, introduction of alternative fuel technologies and electric charging points, and the roll out of a more efficient fleet management system are driving the first phase of carbon reduction for Travis Perkins’ fleet.

Drivers are also incentivised to get more miles to the gallon by utilising efficient driving techniques.

There are also a number of fleet initiatives in the pipeline that will reduce carbon emissions for the future, including the continued rollout of electric fork lift trucks and sustainably sourced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement fuel for diesel in vehicles. HVO, which can reduce carbon dioxide by up to 90% compared to diesel, is now available across 30 branches and will soon support over 200 vehicles.

The business is also working closely with colleagues, customers and suppliers to help reduce the carbon footprint of its supply chain, in particular in-use emissions from products sold and the embodied carbon in products, as part of the broader Scope 3 emissions commitment. This includes the upskilling of colleagues, sales and commercial in particular, as well as supplier forums to educate, engage and work with them on the collation of carbon data and the development of targets for their own businesses.

Alan Williams, CFO at Travis Perkins, said: “As a leader in the industry, we see it as our responsibility to help our customers and suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint in our supply chain so we can help build better communities.

“Our colleagues have shown great drive and determination to support this agenda, and this, combined with the investment in and implementation of a whole raft of initiatives, has led to strong progress, and shows that our ambitious SBTi accredited targets are achievable.”

Moving to a 100% renewable electricity tariff, in November 2021, is now generating 1,000 tonnes less carbon emissions per month across the Group’s UK based operations, and to mitigate emissions of the company’s estate further, the installation of energy saving solutions, such as utilising LED lighting and solar panels is under way.