Zero Carbon Bus to make Perth stop ahead of COP26
The Zero Carbon Tour makes its next stop at Perth Concert Hall
Businesses are being invited to learn how they can play their part in the fight against climate change when the UK’s first fully electric Carbon Battle Bus arrives in Perth.
The Zero Carbon Bus Tour will arrive in Perth on 26 October and will promote what businesses in Perth and Kinross are doing to reduce emissions and provide advice on how local firms can set their own credible net zero carbon targets.
Councillor Angus Forbes, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee said: “Businesses in Perth and Kinross are already making great strides towards carbon zero and the Zero Carbon Bus Tour will let them share their stories and, hopefully, inspire other firms to step up their own efforts to cut emissions.
The bus began touring the UK in June and its journey around the UK will culminate at COP26 in Glasgow in November. The Tour aims to share the net zero carbon message to communities across the UK in support of the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign.
“Small-to-medium sized enterprises make up around 99% of all businesses in the UK and the Zero Carbon Bus Tour can help them find ways to make their businesses greener and more sustainable.”
The bus has been organised by Planet Mark, an organisation that provides certification to businesses that are working towards reducing their emissions, with support from the Scottish Government and the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The Zero Carbon Tour has made stops all across the UK
Among those who will be sharing their stories of reducing emissions are Perth-based Stagecoach, which this summer published its company-sustainability strategy targeting a net zero emissions bus fleet by 2035. It has also confirmed plans to invest in a new fleet of electric buses and associated charging infrastructure to go live in Perth later this year.
Perth Event Speakers Promote Zero Carbon
Stagecoach
Steven Stewart, Stagecoach Director of Communications, said: “We want to play our part in helping Perth become the most sustainable small city in Europe. Transport accounts for around 50% of the carbon emissions in Perth and Kinross, mainly from cars, so delivering greener mobility in our communities through more use of public transport and active travel is critical to delivering a net zero future for the region.
“We’ve set ourselves challenging targets to transform our own business, but it needs everyone individually and collectively to make changes in not just the technology we use, but the choices we make every day if we are to realise our ambition for Perth. We hope that by showcasing the initiatives we are progressing it will help inspire other local businesses to take similar steps in their sectors.”
The Binn Group
John Ferguson, Head of Strategy, with The Binn Group, added: “The Binn Group, as one of Scotland’s largest private waste management firms, is actively working with the Resource Management Association Scotland to develop a sector wide net zero strategy.
“The Binn Eco Park and its advanced concepts for renewable energy, circular economy and sustainable food projects forms a key component of supporting Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council’s efforts to tackle climate change. We believe the post Covid green growth opportunity for technology and system innovation in Tayside is highly significant.”
Highland Spring Group
Morwen Mands, Head of Sustainability at Highland Spring Group said: “Climate change is the greatest threat we face and as the producer of the UK’s leading Brand of natural source water, we are committed to providing healthy hydration in an environmentally sustainable way.
“Reaching net zero is key to tackling the climate emergency and as part of our journey, we will work towards a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, and target net zero emissions by 2040.
“Highland Spring Group is keen to work collaboratively with local businesses throughout Perth and Kinross to share knowledge, learnings and initiatives, that will help to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the planet, in the hope this inspires local climate action.”