Drop in sessions help staff offset their CO2 footprint

Auto Windscreens is taking its environmental commitment one step further, having launched drop-in sessions to support staff to offset their personal motoring and transport CO2 footprints through BP’s not-for-profit Target Neutral programme.

This new initiative coincides with the company gaining BP Carbon Neutral Certification for a second year.

The two-hour ‘surgeries’, the first of which was held on Friday (15 November) with representatives from BP’s Target Neutral team, are being held quarterly at the business’ Chesterfield HQ. Staff receive information on how BP Target Neutral allows them to measure and offset carbon emissions produced by their car, flight, bus and rail journeys. This is achieved by buying carbon credits used to fund carbon reduction projects across the globe, including forest protection in Zambia, cook stove distribution in Mexico and hydropower development in China.

Employees are guided step-by-step through the simple offsetting process online and receive BP certification once completed.

Shaun Atton, Auto Windscreens Fleet Manager, remarked: “We are incredibly proud to have received carbon neutral accreditation two years running by reducing our carbon footprint and offsetting remaining emissions.

“We believe we have a responsibility to set an example and are keen to guide employees through offsetting their own carbon footprints using BP Target Neutral’s online calculator. Not only do offset projects reduce emissions but they also deliver social benefits aligned to the UN sustainable development goals.”  

A 1.2 litre car that covers 6,000 miles a year would emit 1.58 tonnes of carbon annually, which could be offset for £4.60 using BP Target Neutral’s online calculator. A return flight from London to Rome for one person would result in 509kg of carbon emissions which could be offset by paying as little as £1.50.

Over the last 12 years BP Target Neutral has offset over four million tonnes of carbon on behalf of individuals and companies, including Auto Windscreens. BP estimates that the impact of this is equivalent to taking around two million cars off UK roads for a year. 

BP’s Target Neutral’s journey emissions calculator: www.bptargetneutral.com/uk/calculate/car.