ESG Report 202223 - Flipbook - Page 23
Industry leading
Case Study 4
Essential oils
We are showing a clear commitment to help underpin the UK’s move towards
net zero by 2050, as well as working towards the Group’s commitment to
achieving a 50% reduction by 2030.
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is helping us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint by
replacing fossil-based diesel. HVO is a second generation, advanced biofuel that is derived from
a blend of waste and residue derived feedstocks such as vegetable and animal oils. The fuel
meets EN15940 specification which means it is a certified diesel replacement.
The carbon reduction from using HVO is over 80%. The emissions associated with HVO are known
as ‘short cycle carbon’ because they are derived from elements that are already part of our
current natural ecosystem. This is a world away from the diesel and petrol we find in most service
stations. The carbon for ‘traditional’ fuels was last seen in our atmosphere about 400 million
years ago, which is why we think it’s better not to release it, if possible.
A common criticism levelled against HVO fuel is that farmers will do more good for the
communities they serve by growing food. There is also concern that some producers of palm oil
are cutting down forests to make room for bigger fields. This is why 100% of the HVO fuel we use
is a second-generation biofuel, exclusively made from waste and residual feedstocks as listed
and approved by the EU regulations in Renewable Energy Directive and meets the UK Dept of
Trade & Transport requirements. We are proud to be working with Green BioFuels in the sourcing
and supply of our HVO. With their help we avoid issues of deforestation and palm oil
use which can be associated with HVO use from less
sustainable sources. The provenance of our biofuel
is certified through the ISSC (International
Sustainability & Carbon Certification) scheme.
1,000
Over
of our vehicles are
electric or hybrid
632
We have saved
8,450t
fully electric vehicles with
nearly all of this being
company cars.
of CO2e from our
Scope 1 emissions
20