About Us :: Environment & Community :: CSR Policy
CSR Policy
Corporate Social Responsibility Policy February 2010
Radio Taxis Group - the first CarbonNeutral® Taxi Company in the world still delivering Carbon Neutral services
Radio Taxis Group has already set the benchmark for credible action against climate change within the mainstream business travel industry. Our strategy has been combined with a commercially advantageous approach, and one that has consistently differentiated us in a market clouded by "green" claims. So that an understanding of environmental issues combined with expertise in the personal transport industry, is also delivering a tangible commercial benefit with business wins.
And there is no dichotomy for a business between having an active CSR policy and at the same time deriving commercial benefit from doing so, for it is this and this alone which will encourage businesses in general (especially in London markets) to become Socially responsible.
Radio Taxis Group is proud to have partnered with The CarbonNeutral® Company since 2005 when we became the world's first CarbonNeutral® taxi company. The plethora of conflicting opinions regarding the validity of carbon offsetting has attracted media attention, yet we are confident that The CarbonNeutral Company's rigorous and transparent approach to sourcing and verifying guaranteed carbon credits remains indisputable and its quality assurance programme is still unparalleled within the industry.
2009 has seen a re-assessment of our carbon footprint, which is a requirement under the CarbonNeutral® Protocol (CN). The CN protocol is the global standard for ensuring the integrity and quality of CN programs and enabling businesses to be certified as CarbonNeutral®
The assessment was performed by Ecometrica, an independent science partner of The CN Company. This exercise gives us
1. Clear insight into the sources of our operational greenhouse gas emissions (CO²)
2. The efficacy of our internal reporting systems
3. A good understanding of where we are able to implement emissions reduction activities
Over the last year, we have continued a programme of aggressive internal carbon emissions reductions and efficiencies - a requirement borne out of the need to reduce both the organisations carbon emissions and our costs during a very difficult economic climate in the last 12 months. Consequently we can report that our current carbon footprint has reduced by some 30% over the previous year which compares well within the industry.
This, combined with the purchase of carbon credits to achieve a net zero position, ensures that we are taking the strongest possible action today - to effectively combat climate change in the future.
Since 2005, our offset portfolio has evolved extensively and has included projects from a number of regions and technologies. Most recently we purchased credits from a project that supports the construction and operation of a 50MW run-of-river hydropower project in Fujian Province China, which will feed electricity into the East China Power Grid. The project lies on the main stream of the Jianxi River, 7km from Jian'ou City.
Use of fossil fuel based power has increased substantially in China in response to rising energy demands, which this project can help supply in a clean and renewable way. The project falls in line with China's sustainable development goals and whilst generating clean electricity, will also provide employment to local communities. With more than 80% of total electricity production derived from coal based power plants, it is essential that renewable technologies are providing the right incentives for development in this region. Carbon finance can provide these incentives, which is where funds from climate change programmes organised by The CarbonNeutral ® Company play their part.
As an early adopter of carbon offsetting, being CarbonNeutral® in 2010 continues to position us well and strongly differentiates us in the market. Our trailblazing approach to an offset inclusive carbon management strategy opens opportunities - particularly in corporate and public sectors.
In order to assist clients to further reduce their carbon emissions we continue with our own SMARTER methodology of transportation solutions. Client-facing personnel have been trained to review travel profiles so as to establish solutions that are: Service-led; Measurable; Achievable; Reliable; Timely; Environmental & Realistic. This approach is delivering both a pragmatic and workable resolution for clients who not only wish to save on costs but also want to reduce their carbon footprint. Solutions combine the ‘appropriate' vehicle usage with the introduction of enhanced vehicle allocation processes; cabshare; fare back; rolling ranks; shuttle bus services and affinity profiling.
In addition, the Group continues to review it's position on alternative fuels, electric vehicles and higher standards in vehicle maintenance to establish whether these can provide CO² reductions in a viable commercial passenger context.
The Group re-branding in the previous year meant that we maintained our move away from paper based literature to a complete suite of electronic template collateral. This move combined with a strategic move to web based marketing - which includes monthly electronic mail shots and 60% of driver communication now delivered electronically - has enabled us to achieve our target of a 20% reduction in paper usage.
The implementation of on-line invoicing and on line driver's statements has further helped us reduce our Carbon footprint and this can be added to the fact that our in- House/ Driver monthly magazine is now only available on line.
We continue to encourage our clients and drivers to take advantage of these on-line facilities.
