Business Stream pledge 20% carbon cut in 12 months

Business Stream has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% over the next year, measured against the company’s 2018-2019 carbon footprint baseline.

Planned measures include a review of its vehicle fleet, adapting its paper use and printing processes, re-evaluating its business travel policy and working with its contractors to ensure they are taking steps to limit their emissions. In addition, Business Stream will aim to maintain, where possible, some of the reductions that have been achieved naturally during lockdown.

The new pledge is part of a larger ambition by its parent company Scottish Water, for the Group to become net-zero by 2040, five years ahead of the Scottish Government’s target. Business Stream will also work in partnership with Scottish Water to deliver a large tree planting programme. A scoping exercise to identify suitable sites around Scotland is currently underway.

Earlier this year, Business Stream chief executive Jo Dow was appointed chair of Business in the Community Scotland’s Climate Action Group. The Group will be tasked with finding practical ways to help businesses across Scotland reduce their carbon emissions, helping to accelerate the journey to net-zero in the run up to and beyond COP26, taking place in Glasgow this year.