Sharing best practice with Rolls Royce on sustainability

Reuters recently launched their Climate Solutions Week with a series of online sessions looking at how to tackle the climate crisis. The week is part of their forthcoming ‘Impact’ series in the run up to COP26 and I was pleased to be invited to discuss the role of public transport in delivering Net Zero with Editor-at-large Axel Threlfall and Warren East, CEO of Rolls Royce.

The timing for this discussion was particularly opportune as last month we began testing our HybridFLEX train, developed in partnership with the Rolls Royce team, which adds battery technology to existing rolling stock. This will be the first hybrid powered Diesel Multiple Unit to operate on Britain’s railway network and deliver the last green mile emission free. The train will reduce CO2 emissions by 25%, NOx by over 70% and particulates by over 90%. We’re excited to be advancing sustainable technologies like HybridFLEX with our supply chain partners, on the road to decarbonising Britain’s railway.

Transport is a significant contributor to the UK’s overall carbon emissions, and we welcome the ambition set out in the Department for Transport’s Decarbonisation Plan which was published yesterday. It recognises the need for a co-ordinated and urgent approach, and the Reuters conversation demonstrated the value of different sectors collaborating with each other as we move towards Net Zero. During the discussion, Warren emphasised how pioneering sustainable power sits at the heart of Rolls Royce’s strategy, their future innovation and growth agenda. It’s important to us at Porterbrook to work with partners who value sustainable innovation as much as we do.

As a consequence, the discussion with Axel and Warren last week was insightful and thoughtful. While the strength of international business pledges to the wider environmental agenda has been questioned, for Porterbrook’s shareholders and investors our environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles are clearly embedded into our strategy as a business. I know the same is true of our partners, and we continue to collaborate on sustainability with our customers and wider supply chain.

I’m grateful to Reuters for hosting such a timely exchange of views. There is real value to be found in sharing best practice across sectors. Our aim at Porterbrook is to lead the way for the private sector in supporting rail’s path to Net Zero. Indeed, such initiatives are vital to rebuilding public confidence and trust in transport, as we encourage passengers to return to planes, trains, buses and trams.