Inchcape Fleet Solutions green credentials have been given a boost with a prestigious Green Apple Award in recognition of its Environmental Management System (EMS), which includes a range of online tools to help fleets and drivers cut CO2 emissions. The Portsmouth-based vehicle leasing and fleet management company, which operates a fleet of more than 53,000 vehicles, was the only company to win a Gold Award in the automotive category at the 2009 ceremony.
Online initiatives introduced by Inchcape Fleet Solutions to help customers reduce their carbon footprint include:
CO2 tools, which highlights the tax burden of a fleet or a drivers chosen company car and alternative models with lower CO2 emissions, which not only reduces the carbon footprint but also driver and corporate tax bills. Companies can also profile the impact that choosing lower emissions vehicles will have on their overall CO2 performance.
E-Quotes, which enables direct vehicle-to-vehicle CO2 comparisons to be made
Grey Matters, a system developed for customers employees who drive their own car on business trips, which includes information related to cutting emissions and fuel use through smarter driving
Environmental best practice news and emission-reducing driving advice in regular newsletters
Additionally, all drivers receive a CO2 welcome pack containing a wide range of essential information on how to cut emissions when taking delivery of a vehicle; customer green roadshows are delivered by the companys team of trained environmental account managers; and a special eco-driving programme is part of the organisations driver training solution that delivers fuel savings and reduced vehicle wear and tear bills.
The EMS initiative also embraces the measures that Inchcape Fleet Solutions continues to take to reduce its impact on the environment. In addition to the companys own transport use, measures embrace the reduction of energy use in offices, saving water, waste disposal and recycling.
In terms of transport, Inchcape Fleet Solutions has introduced car sharing with premium car parking spaces allocated to encourage uptake; a policy of car sharing when travelling to business meetings and publication of a Greener Driving Guide for authorised car users.
Additionally, all employees undergo environmental awareness training and the companys Green Team is charged with reviewing and improving environmental initiatives.
Winning a gold Green Apple Award comes just months after Inchcape Fleet Solutions achieved international environmental management standard ISO 14001.
Terry Bartlett, managing director of Inchcape Fleet Solutions, said: Being the only automotive company to win a gold Green Apple Award this year means that Inchcape Fleet Solutions is at the forefront of delivering carbon-cutting solutions both internally and to our customers.
We will continue to invest in our online solutions and environmental assessments. Cutting emissions cuts costs and that is vital both for Inchcape Fleet Solutions and our customers. We regularly receive enquiries as to our emission-reducing standards and environmental performance from both prospective and existing customers.
The trophy was presented by The Green Organisation at the 16th annual international awards ceremony at the House of Commons.
The Green Apple Awards are presented annually in recognition of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that enhance the environment. The Green Organisation received over 500 nominations this year.
Inchcape Fleet Solutions EMS project will be featured in the next Green Book, the worlds only work of reference on environmental best practice, and the company will be receiving a Green Hero Wall Shield during a prize giving ceremony at The Tower of London in 2010.
The Green Apple Awards campaign is run by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-profit organisation that recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world.
National organiser Roger Wolens said: To show continued interest in environmental issues during the current financial climate shows great foresight and Inchcape Fleet Solutions deserve the recognition of being Green Apple Award winners.
To then go further and become Green Heroes is an even bolder statement of environmental intent, and organisations that go the extra mile and become Green Heroes are demonstrating a serious commitment to the world around them. They invest in a better future for us all and deserve to be recognised for their efforts.
Inchcape Fleet Solutions is a former winner of the Green Leasing/Rental Company of the Year in the GreenFleet Awards supported by the Energy Saving Trust and the winner of Green Apple Awards in previous years.
Photo caption: Actress and former Bond girl Alexandra Bastedo, who is also an environmentalist and founder of The Champions Animal Sanctuary, presents the Green Apple Award to Mark Templeman (left), head of business services, Inchcape Fleet Solutions, and Terry Smith, business services manager, Inchcape Fleet Solutions.
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