Sustainability in business is a major factor in consumer goods, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19. A study by IBM shows 71% of employees prefer to work for sustainable businesses. But why is it important?
By using alternative power sources and suppliers, you can reduce greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. Not only does it support climate change, but it also improves your brand identity. 4 of 5 investors choose sustainable businesses, which in turn, grows revenue. More so, governments now favour and act on social responsibility with their own goals.
What is Sustainable Transportation?
Sustainable transportation reduces carbon emissions by being green. For example, using the mass-transit system or electric vehicles, carpooling, walking, or cycling. It’s not only safer for the environment, but for people too by reducing the amount of traffic.
How is London sustainable?
Transport causes 25% of London’s carbon emissions. According to the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022, the city scored 15th for sustainable transport in comparison to others across the globe. Many businesses have adopted a reward scheme for cycling or walking to work instead of driving. But how else is London Sustainable?
The UK plans to be net zero by 2050 in a new legislation to reduce carbon emissions. However, London faces a difficult challenge as it vows to become carbon neutral by 2030. The Business Climate Challenge (BCC) is one of many programmes supporting these goals. It sees a £6,000 reward for businesses who cut energy usage annually by 10%.
How Can London Be More Sustainable?
Transport for London is working with suppliers to find out how to make the city more efficient. Their plan is to remove all fossil fuels from their supply chain, increase renewable energy, and reuse waste heat to create a carbon baseline. These changes will be monitored by annual reports and scorecards as they lead by example.
London also plans to turn all company-owned vehicles to zero emission, and install charging stations across the city by 2025. But this doesn’t include transport companies, such as chauffeur services, which is why Belgraves of London choose to lead by example. While we’ve invested in being the most sustainable chauffeur service in the UK, we are not charging more for an electric vehicle compared to a petrol or plug-in hybrid car.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a 24/7 scheme announced by Boris Johnson in 2015 and implemented in 2020. Vehicles that don’t reach emission standards see a penalty charge, which expanded to all London boroughs in late August, 2023. But how can you help London be more sustainable?
What Are We Doing to Help Reduce Carbon Emissions?
Our sustainability is not a show for our clients, but a goal we endeavour to continue in our office with our full team. That’s why we’ve changed the following:
- Instead of business cards, our chauffeurs have an NFC business card made from bamboo where they simply tap on a client’s phone to input their details, cutting down on paper waste.
- Our recycling policy sees paper, glass and plastic bottles, tins, and crisp packets are recycled using dedicated bins in each office.
- All staff have company mugs, used even when going to the local coffee shop.
- All food waste is composted.
- Our entire operation runs on renewable energy, including charging our fleet, as each office has solar panels installed
But it doesn’t stop there.
While mass-public transport is available, it’s not for everyone. At Belgraves of London, we have a range of electric vehicles to help reduce London’s carbon emissions. This year, we have invested in new vehicles making 85% of our luxury fleet 100% electric or plug-in hybrid. Whether you prefer to ride in a Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Range Rover, there’s a vehicle for you.
All amenities offered in our vehicles have been replaced with sustainable products, including:
- British mineral water offered in 100% recycled reusable aluminium bottles
- Hand sanitiser offered in refillable aluminium bottles
- Vegan Oshibori scented towels that are 100% biodegradable (including packaging)
- Umbrellas made from 100% recycled materials
- But what’s so good about electric cars?
With a focus on renewable energy, electric cars aim to be the biggest-selling mode of transport by 2030. Electric vehicles are considerably cheaper than petrol or diesel, offering lower tax rates and no congestion charge. They also promote a greener planet by reducing emissions and improving air quality. Not to mention the time saved waiting at a fuel station, and the high-tech specs newer models offer.
We hope you’ll join us to make London more sustainable. We have a range of electric and hybrid vehicles helping the UK become a greener place. Alternatively, contact us to learn more about our sustainability goals.