Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland commits to greener car fleet

To support its net-zero carbon commitment and its purpose of Making the World a Better Home, building materials supplier Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland is aiming to move its entire 3,000-strong car fleet to electric & hybrid vehicles by the end of 2023.

The company has taken delivery of 100 new Volkswagen 1D.3 all-electric cars to help staff to reduce their carbon footprint and reducing car related emissions.

Last year Saint-Gobain made a global commitment to be net zero carbon by 2050 and meet interim 2030 targets validated by the Science Based Initiative. Since then, roadmaps are being developed by each of its UK & Ireland businesses to set out how it will achieve this goal.

Further measures to support its transition include the formation of a Net Zero Carbon Colleague Assembly, made up of more than 40 colleagues who will each engage and challenge the business to meet their commitments and help inform investment decisions made by the business to reduce emissions.

Mike Chaldecott, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland said:  “While we have been acting to reduce our environmental impact for a number of years our commitment to net zero carbon and our purpose of making the world a better home are now right at the centre of what we do and how we do it. For every business the change required is immense, but we are absolutely committed to being successful in making our own operations net zero, and supporting customers in many different ways with their own sustainability journeys. How we do this will be through many actions over the years ahead and through the involvement and commitment of all our colleagues.”

Ian Berrill, transport & supply chain solutions director, added: “This agreement with VW is just one step we will be taking on our journey to reduce the carbon from our transport activities. With a car fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles we intend to act as quickly as we can in switching our fleet to fully electric & hybrid and helping our colleagues with this change for example by installing charging points at colleague’s homes. The reception from colleagues has been great – there is a real appetite to make the change and reduce their personal carbon footprint.”