Hermes UK reduced its CO2 emissions by 6% last year with overall savings of 18.4% generatedsince 2008 bringing it closer to the goal of achieving a 20% reduction by 2015.
This positive result is due to a significant reduction in the company’s fuel usage following arange of projects related to fleet optimisation and energy reduction. These initiatives are part ofan ongoing environmental programme implemented by Hermes’ parent company Otto Group. The OTTO CO2strategy targets a 50% reduction by 2020.
Hermes UK said it has taken a sustainable approach to its fleet operation ensuring all vehiclesoperate in the most efficient way and that mileage is kept to a minimum. During the past 12 months,the company has adopted automated transmission across all tractor units used within the trunkingoperation to achieve a fuel efficiency improvement of approximately 10%, with this type of gearboxnow being fitted to all new vans. Meanwhile, all new tractor units include aerodynamic kits and thecompany is trialling aerodynamic bodies within the van fleet, which has so far achieved an averagefuel saving of 4%.
Last year, Hermes purchased eight double deck trailers from DON-BUR to achieve greaterefficiency in the company’s trunking operation. As a result, it expects to reduce its overallcarbon footprint by 2% cutting miles travelled by 684,000 annually and saving 300,000 litres offuel, equivalent to 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The company is also exploring ways of reducing energy consumption across its nationwide networkof hubs and depots. For example, traditional warehouse lights (sodium diode) have been replacedwith more efficient LED’s at five sites within the depot network, with a further four locationsplanned for 2012. This has generated efficiency savings of 30% and reductions in CO2 of more than25 tonnes per location.
Carole Woodhead, CEO of Hermes in the UK, commented: “Climate protection is a fundamentalresponsibility for all businesses and individuals so we are fully committed to the targets outlinedby the OTTO CO2 strategy. We are well ahead of schedule, but will need to maintain our focus toachieve continued improvements in terms of emissions and efficiency savings.”
