Reducing our carbon footprint
We generate direct carbon dioxide emissions predominantly from our trains (see diagram below) but also from heating and lighting of buildings and business travel.
The greatest proportion of our emissions are directly related to fuel consumption which is influenced by a range of factors such as type of vehicles, engine size, speed, vehicle mileage and number of engines. Historically new vehicles have tended to have higher fuel consumption than their predecessors. This is due to the fact they have larger engines for improved speed and reliability and greater weight relating to improved safety features.
The lifespan of an engine is generally thirty years and we lease the trains from the ROSCOs. To achieve emissions reductions we therefore need to work with the trains available to us and seek ways to improve their overall fuel efficiency. We have made some significant progress in this area particularly in First Transpennine Express and First ScotRail.
Key Developments 07/08
- Our carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre have reduced by 10% since 05/06.
- Our average vehicle fuel efficiency has improved by 1.3% during the last 12 months following a period of decreasing fuel efficiency due to the introduction of new more reliable trains.
- We have reduced the energy usage in our buildings by 1%.
- We introduced monitoring equipment to our First Capital Connect electric fleet, the first of its kind in the UK, to monitor use of traction energy. The industry as a whole currently estimates this usage, which provides no incentive to reduce energy consumption.
- We have introduced driver training programmes to a number of our operating companies.
Our overall carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase. The introduction of new train fleets to First TransPennine Express and Hull Trains are the primary contributing factors. Designed for greater reliability and customer comfort, these trains are less fuel-efficient than their predecessors. We have also seen a significant increase in emissions from our rail freight fleet due to business growth.
We endeavour to improve fuel efficiency across our rail fleet. We have not achieved our target of a 5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions this year but our fuel consumption per kilometre has reduced by 1.3% over the past twelve months. Period by period monitoring data shows gradual fuel efficiency improvements across most of our fleet (see the First TransPennine Express case study example) but these improvements are not yet reflected in the annualised data. We continue to work towards our long-term reduction target and remain confident it can be achieved.
We have been investigating the use of a fuel information database that will allow us to monitor fuel consumption for individual vehicles. This will allow us to directly monitor the impacts of different fuel reduction strategies and can also be used as part of the driving training programme. This system will become available to all train operating companies later in 2008.
Improving fuel efficiency in First TransPennine Express
First TransPennine Express has cooperated closely with Siemens to improve the fuel efficiency of their new Class 185 vehicles, in a project known as EcoMode. New software manages train idling times and engine running to optimise efficiency. Driver training is also being developed to further reduce fuel burn. Since the programme began in April 2007 the fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet has improved by 7% giving a daily saving of 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
First ScotRail introduces eco driving programme
First ScotRail train drivers are now being trained on simulators at their purpose-built Training Academy in Glasgow. Each simulator is an exact replica of a train cab and is used among other things to teach drivers how to adopt fuel-efficient driving techniques. This includes best practice berthing and controlled coasting.
The simulator has been in place just over 12 months and has contributed to an overall reduction in diesel consumption of 2% compared to previous years.