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FirstGroup for the environment
11 Sep 2009
Topics: Transport, ISO 14001, Environment
FirstGroup, the UK's largest transport operator, has become one of the first national operators in the sector to achieve certification to ISO 14001 Environmental management systems across all of its UK-based businesses. Certification covers all 20 of FirstGroup's bus and rail operating companies across the UK. This is part of a group-wide effort to reduce emissions in its UK Bus Division by 25 per cent and Rail Division by 20 per cent by 2020.
"ISO 14001 certification ensures full compliance with environmental legislation, improves the management of environmental risks, reduces operational cost through improved efficiency in energy and waste management, and drives continual environmental improvement," says Katerina Robinson, FirstGroup's head of environment. "Achieving this status requires a real commitment and focus on environmental improvement."
"We have a commitment to our customers and the communities we serve to reduce our environmental impact through effective environmental management and continuous improvement," says Sir Moir Lockhead, chief executive of FirstGroup. The business benefits have been substantial: in 2008 alone, FirstGroup saved around £240,000 through energy reduction initiatives and around £70,000 in waste minimization schemes.
"More and more organizations are seeing ISO 14001 as providing a structured approach to the management of environmental performance and legal compliance within their organizations," says BSI business development director Andrew Morris. "ISO 14001 focuses the organization on identifying environmental aspects and impacts, and driving down risks. In doing so, an organization can benefit from improved operational effectiveness leading to reduced costs and improved profits, as seen by First Group."
For more information, visit: www.bsigroup.com/aug09iso14001
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