British transport group Go-Ahead plans to be carbon neutral by 2045 Reuters

LONDON (Reuters)-British transportation group Go-Ahead said on Wednesday that as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, transportation group Go-Ahead will withdraw diesel buses and further electrify its rail fleet.

The environmental plans of large carbon emitters are being increasingly scrutinized by investors and climate change activists who are concerned about the ability of these companies to achieve their carbon targets. The UK government’s goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2050.

Go-Ahead operates buses in London and various parts of the UK, and operates train services in southeast England. The company said it will reduce emissions by 75% by 2035 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

The group stated that it will buy electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses because it will gradually replace its 5,000 buses with zero-emission vehicles by 2035, and will electrify all its trains by that date.

This will require significant investment from Go-Ahead. The cost of electric buses is about twice that of diesel alternatives, but prices are expected to decline over time. Go-Ahead also needs to invest in charging points at bus stations.

CEO David Brown said that the promotion of net zero emissions requires a radical change.

He said in a statement: “We hope that our commitment will match the broader shift in public transportation policy, encouraging people to walk or bike as much as possible, using buses and trains as alternatives, but only when absolutely necessary. To use the car.”