We have reached a turning point

Our fourth environment and community report covers the financial year 2007. A great deal has been achieved in these 12 months.

In 2007, we set three environmental business objectives, targeting a reduction in energy and paper use and an increase in fuel efficiency, exceeding them all. We also reached a turning point in our efforts to reduce our environmental impact by going over and above standard practice in calculating our carbon footprint to include embedded carbon.

We are passionate about putting something back into the communities we serve – it is part of our journey from being a good to a great company. We are beginning to work with local schools to encourage students to take up a career in our industry and our Community Support Fund went from strength to strength in 2007 supporting many fundraising initiatives in which our employees are involved.

Now that we have measured how much carbon dioxide we produce, we have a far more tangible benchmark to measure our progress against in the years ahead. Hence our business objective of reducing our carbon footprint by 5,000 tonnes by the end of 2008.

Our business objectives and the work described in this report demonstrate the strength of our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the work we do.

In 2007, employees again came up with practical solutions that helped us to work smarter as well as reducing our environmental impact. Innovation and creativity are key to our success and we are proud of achievements such as the ground-breaking, sustainable design of our new Stratford Train Crew Accommodation building, which is due for completion in 2008. This has been shortlisted for the 2008 HSBC Rail Environmental Innovation of the Year Award.

We have made good progress with our industry-leading work to quantify the effects of climate change on our assets and practices. We are also working with London Underground to introduce an incentive into the contract which rewards PPP parties for reducing carbon.

As our upgrade works improve the frequency, capacity and reliability of services on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines we are inspiring more Londoners to leave their cars at home and use public transport. Our lines carry 40 per cent of London Underground passengers and our upgrades have allowed passenger numbers to increase by 7 per cent year on year. The Tube is the greenest form of public transport in London and we constantly strive to build on this and deliver an outstanding Tube for London.

Terry Morgan,
Tube Lines Chief Executive

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The single largest user of electricity in London is the Underground. As part of that, Tube Lines needs to look at ways of reducing its carbon footprint. We can’t wait for government orders, but should be taking the lead. No matter what the political landscape looks like in the future, it is up to us to initiate change.

David Begg,
Tube Lines Chairman

 

• Terry's welcome
• The year at a glance
• About Tube Lines
• Vision and values
• About this report