Saint-Gobain UK commits to EV and hybrid fleet by 2023
Materials firm Saint-Gobain UK has committed to making its entire car fleet into electric and hybrid vehicles by the end of 2023.
The move, part of the firm’s net-zero Making the World a Better Home strategy, will see more than 3,000 vehicles decarbonised. The company has already begun the process with the delivery of 100 VW ID.3 all-electric cars to reduce carbon emissions as part of its overall footprint.
Its net-zero by 2050 commitment was made last year with a series of interim 2030 targets that are validated by the Science-based targets initiative. Road maps have been developed by each of its UK and Ireland businesses in order to achieve the goal.
Further measures to support its transition include the formation of a Net Zero Carbon Colleague Assembly, made up of more than 40 colleagues who will each engage and challenge the business to meet their commitments, and help inform investment decisions made by the business to reduce emissions.
Mike Chaldecott, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland, said: “While we have been acting to reduce our environmental impact for a number of years our commitment to net zero carbon and our purpose of making the world a better home are now right at the centre of what we do and how we do it. For every business the change required is immense, but we are absolutely committed to being successful in making our own operations net zero, and supporting customers in many different ways with their own sustainability journeys. How we do this will be through strong commitment, clear actions we will take and the involvement and commitment of all our colleagues.”
Ian Berrill, transport and supply chain solutions director for Saint-Gobain UK and Ireland, said: “This agreement with VW is just one step we will be taking on our journey to reduce the carbon from our transport activities.
“With a car fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles we intend to act as quickly as we can in switching our fleet to fully electric & hybrid and helping our colleagues with this change for example by installing charging points at colleague’s homes. The reception from colleagues has been great – there is a real appetite to make the change and reduce their personal carbon footprint.”
