Embarque's green vision
EXECUTIVE minicab company Embarque has introduced a fleet of Prius Plus Hybrid vehicles, making it the first company to only operate the market-leading 'green' vehicle. Carbon dioxide emissions
of the Prius Plus are 96g/km, down from the 159g/km emissions of the company's previous fleet of Ford Galaxy cars. By comparison, a trad- itional London black cab emits 233g/km. The Prius is also kind on fuel consumption and delivers close to 70mpg. The sister company of
Carey Worldwide, Embarque operates a minicab service throughout Greater London. Its drivers receive 'eco-driving' training as part of their standard training that covers the most efficient driving techniques. Research shows that such methods can
Five minutes with... Warren Dix
Head of Sales, UK & Ireland BCD Travel
Warren heads up the sales department for BCD Travel in the UK and Ireland where his team consists of sales managers, inside sales and bid managers. He has worked at BCD Travel for four and a half years and previously worked for Egencia. Before that, he held various sales management roles in his native South Africa.
achieve fuel and emissions savings of ten per cent. The company also high- lights its Carbon Neutral status following measures that reduced its operational
output of CO2 emissions to net zero, eliminating the carbon footprint of its fleet. Its head office generates
30 per cent of its electricity via renewable sources
(primarily windpower) and it invests in the research and development of new renewable energy sources. Embarque is also an
advocate of recycling – and in one year recycled over 12,000kg of paper – and says "this ground-breaking launch of a new fleet will certainly not be their last environ- mental development".
BRITISH AIRWAYS GETS THUMBS UP FROM FFD
What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? New York, where I went for the 2011 ACTE Conference. Not only was the conference hugely educational and enlightening, but I also met a lot of interesting senior global travel industry professionals. We hosted a party in a sky bar where the views over the city were just amazing.
What is your worst business travel experience and why? I had been on a team building trip to a ski resort and was on my way back by coach to the airport which was supposedly two hours away. But the return trip turned out to be a disaster with the coach taking 13 hours due to bad snowfall and blocked roads. We missed our flight, of course, and had to wait seven hours at the airport before we could get on another flight back to London!
What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? It’s got to be Thailand. You can still find areas in Thailand that are unspoilt and where you get a sense of truly getting away from it all. I find it a great place to get away from civilization, de-stress and completely re-charge my batteries.
BRITISH Airways recently added to its environmental plaudits when the Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD) project – recently merged with the Carbon Disclosure project – paid tribute to the airline for its leadership role in addressing its impact on deforestation. FFD encourages the world’s
largest companies to disclose their impact on forests based on the use of five commodities: soy, palm oil, timber and pulp, cattle products, and first generation biofuels.
The organisation categorises companies into 12 sectors within each of which a 'leader' is identified. BA took that title in the travel and leisure sector, with James Hulse, director of the Forest Footprint Disclosure project, explaining: “With commodity and food inflation growing in significance, building traceability and security of supply are big issues for the Travel and Leisure sector. FFD commends British Airways on their continued leadership in this area.”
BA says it sources its in-flight catering products and materials with a clear view of the provenance of the items and selection is based on minimising any damage to the environment. The airline's One Destination responsibility programme "is at the heart of the British Airways brand", and the carrier claims to have "led the industry in setting ambitious and challenging targets for carbon efficiency, carbon emission reductions, noise reduction, recycling, and fundraising".
What three items do you never leave home without when on business? My laptop, BlackBerry and multi-plug adaptor which ensures I am always connected wherever I go!
What single thing could be done to improve your business travelling life? Get rid of the liquid restrictions at airport security. It drives me crazy having to transfer items from my luggage to a little plastic bag!
What destination/s would you like to visit next and why? Chicago. I’ve heard such great things about this city from people who have been there and say it is their favourite city in the US.
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80