National Grid commits to 100% electric fleet
Plans have been put in place by utility company National Grid to decarbonise its fleet by 2030 as part of its overall emissions targets.
The firm aims to move to a 100% electric fleet by 2030 for its light-duty vehicles, and replace medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with zero carbon alternatives. Additionally, it plans to reinvest in energy infrastructure at approximately £5 billion each year.
It also aims to reduce its annual air miles by at least 50% from a 2019 baseline and offset remaining emissions to achieve zero emissions overall.
The move is part of a set of commitments announced by National Grid today in a Responsible Business Charter, which identifies where it can have the most impact on society.
The Charter comprises of five focus areas: environment, the communities we serve, our people, the economy, and governance.
The firm has also committed to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions for the electricity and gas its customers by 20% by 2030. The target aligns to Science Based Targets Initiative’s two degrees pathway.
National Grid will also reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG by 80% by 2030, 90% by 2040, and to net zero by 2050 from a 1990 baseline.
John Pettigrew, CEO at National Grid, says: “Society’s expectations of business and the role business plays in the world are changing. We sharethe belief that business needs to stand for something more than profitability.
“Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to demonstrate our contribution to society more broadly – whether that’s by giving young people today the opportunities to become the problemsolvers of tomorrow, or in tackling climate changeby reducing our own emissions and helping ourcustomers use energy more efficiently.
“We must make significant changes to curb harmful emissions. Since 1990, we’ve reduced our direct (Scope 1 and 2) emissions by 70% (as at March 2020). That’s well in excess of our interim target, which was 45% by 2020. But there is much more we can do and that’s why we’re setting ourselves more ambitious targets.”
Alongside the commitments, National Grid is joining the B-Team, a movement of global business leaders driving better ways of doing business for the wellbeing of people and the planet.
The B Team principles of sustainability, equality and accountability will transform National Grid’s own practices to create inclusive social, environmental and economic benefit.
National Grid will report on progress annually in a new Responsible Business Report from 2021.
