The Translink Environment - Environment - Translink

Transport is an integral part of modern life; an efficient transport system is needed to support increasing economic and social demands for mobility and accessibility. However, it is now acknowledged that private and individual transport modes contribute to environmental damage, adversely affecting quality of life and the economy and even changing the climate of the planet.

Increased use of Public Transport contributes to environmental sustainability at many levels; at a macro level there is wide spread international consensus that global warming has been caused by increased emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. As transport contributes about 25% of the total emissions in the UK, it is a significant target for action to reduce emissions.

On a per kilometre basis, the rail, bus and coach services operated by Translink are significantly more environmentally friendly than journeys undertaken using other transport modes. Using public transport for journeys is the single best way in which to reduce our individual environmental footprint.

Translink has been actively promoting the environmental benefits of bus and rail in terms of offering sustainable travel solutions for modern healthy living. As well as encouraging more passengers on board, we have also been taking steps to reduce our own impact on the environment. A range of measures have been implemented in order to continue to improve sustainability and environmental management within our own business and in the wider community. Measures include the implementation of the Translink Environmental Strategy, Arena Benchmarking Survey, Biodiversity Project, Tidy Translink, and a ‘Switch to Efficiency’ Energy Management Programme.

Environmental Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and Executive Group, a Senior Management Environmental Committee directs and oversees the development of environmental work streams, establishing policy, setting objectives / targets, monitoring the performance and advising on any necessary remedial measures.

At operational level, each Translink Division or location is responsible and accountable for its own environmental performance, and delivering targets. Working groups have been established at different levels to co-ordinate the action plans and projects.
  
Assuring Performance

Periodic internal and external environmental audits are conducted to ensure operational work streams and programmes are delivering targets and overall performance continuously improves.
  
Resource Management and Consumption

Resource Management and Consumption is one work stream area and concentrates on issues such as waste management and energy. 

Over the last year within the Greater Belfast Area we have reduced our waste to landfill by over 25% (1867.15 tonnes in 2007/08 reduced to 1390.08 tonnes in 2008/09).

Reducing energy consumption is a priority for managing costs and minimising the environmental impact of electricity generation. Translink’s overall electricity consumption for the 12 month period up to 31st March 2009 has decreased by 5.8% from 14,983 MWh to 14,159 MWh. This reduction has been achieved through conservation, the use of new technology, and improved efficiency of operations.