Fewer emissions put Addison Lee in driving seat

The company, which operates over 2000 minicabs in the capital, was recognised, along with 16 other London businesses, by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, for its efforts to cut carbon emissions, at an event at City Hall today.

Addison Lee has implemented a carbon emissions reduction plan that has already seen daily distances covered by its drivers slashed by 18,000 miles while the company has identified potential cost savings of £185,000 over three years through carbon reduction measures.

Addison Lee is a member of Green500, a programme launched at the end of 2007 to get big business in London to help cut emissions by 60 per cent in the capital by 2025.

Today the Mayor recognised those companies that had joined the group, now numbering over 150, and in particular congratulated those that had already signed up to detailed carbon reduction action plans. As well as Addison Lee, these include the likes of Talkback Thames, Boots, Chelsea FC, Pret a Manger and Tate & Lyle.

“In lean economic times, there are real financial savings to be made for businesses by becoming more energy efficient, helping them to remain competitive. This can often be done in really simple and cheap ways, and it is our job in City Hall to rally, support and publicly recognise organisations that want to do so,” said the Mayor.

The Green500 has a target to cut London’s emissions by 1.5 million tonnes, saving at least £2.5million in energy bills.

Addison Lee has committed to improving its environmental performance in several areas. As well as cutting its carbon emissions, the company says it has sourced a fleet, which is “75 per cent recyclable” and is working with The London Climate Change Agency on the first hydrogen powered taxi in London.

The company claims to recycle over 98 per cent of office and garage waste and was recently certified ISO 14001. It says it is raising environmental awareness among its staff, suppliers and customers at the same time as expanding its network of home workers, thereby reducing vehicle emissions and office waste even further.

Liam Griffin, chief executive of Addison Lee, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the Mayor for our achievements in carbon reduction in the capital and are proud to be part of the Green500 group of climate leaders. Joining Green500 is a win-win situation for us; in tough economic times we are taking positive steps to boost our efficiency and save money, as well as do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Also recognised at the event was the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP), a similar programme to Green500, but in this case representing London’s leading commercial property owners. It currently numbers just 11 members, including Land Securities, The British Land Company, Hammerson, Hermes Real Estate, Transport for London and Grosvenor.  

The aim of the BBP is for property owners to work with occupiers to develop energy efficiency programmes for London’s existing building stock.  It has set a target to cut 500,000 tonnes of emissions over the next three years.

Today, the partnership unveiled a new industry-led drive to retrofit buildings to be more energy efficient. Measures could include updating boiler controls, converting to energy efficient lighting, more efficient heating systems, improved insulation and solar panel water heating.

At the same time, Johnson announced plans to set up a ‘retrofitting academy’ to retrain Londoners left unemployed by the economic downturn as energy efficiency advisers.

Commenting on the measures, Peter Clarke, chairman of the BBP, said: 'In uncertain economic times, positive action is crucial to secure our investments for the future. The Better Building Partnership is making good progress towards delivering sensible and workable programmes that will ensure the capital's existing commercial building stock has a competitive edge in a leaner, greener future.'

Both the BBP and the Green500 programmes are run by the London Development Agency.