London Underground (LU) is the world’s oldest underground railway and was the first to use electric trains. LU employs almost 20,000 members of staff and in previous years has seen more than 1billion passenger journeys made to and from its 270 stations across a network 249 miles in length.

LU is carrying more passengers than ever before. Every weekday, between 3.5 and 4 million journeys are made on the Tube and in the last year alone there was a seven per cent increase in the numbers using the network. During 2007/08 LU ran more trains than ever before, clocking up a huge total of nearly 70million kilometres - the equivalent of 1,750 laps around the world.
To deal with this increase in passenger numbers and to ensure that London’s transport system can enable growth, London Underground has a plan to upgrade every line, providing almost 30 per cent more capacity across the Tube network. This will be delivered through new trains, track and signals and improvements to key stations to ensure that they can cope with additional demand.
“But as we run more trains, more frequently and at higher speeds, we will use more energy. It is therefore vital that we have strategies in place to mitigate the impact on our carbon footprint,” the company says.

“Tackling climate change is one of Transport for London’s (TfL) primary objectives. Over the next few decades, London’s transport system can make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions in London, and LU has a major role to play in achieving this.”

James Pitcher is the company’s Climate Change Coordinator. He has been with LU for just under a year and previously worked at Tate & Lyle Sugars Europe as the organisation’s Environmental Manager. He is a BSc Environmental Science and Management graduate from The University of Birmingham.

LU recently completed a Carbon Footprint assessment. What is the significance of this work?

“The Tube provides one of the most carbon efficient forms of transport. London’s Underground system is intensively used. If all these journeys were made by car, the additional 2.5 million more cars on the roads everyday would increase congestion and add 1.3 million tonnes to London’s annual Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“The Mayor of London has set ambitious reduction targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 from 1990 levels. Increased use of public transport is a large part of the solution, and the LU’s upgrade programme increases peak capacity into central London by almost a third.

“While the average car journey within London is responsible for the release of 138g CO2e, the average Tube journey results in the generation of just 48g CO2e, making the Tube one of the most carbon efficient forms of new transport capacity.

“LU can also contribute by improving our own carbon efficiency. The starting point is to fully understand our carbon footprint. This has been prepared using the best practice GHG Protocol methodology. This is the most comprehensive estimate of the LU carbon footprint yet prepared. It includes the emissions resulting from LU’s use of electricity and other fuels, and supporting activities such as waste management, staff travel and, where possible, the emissions of LU’s contractors.

“LU’s total carbon footprint in 2007/08 was 754,437 tonnes CO2e. Carbon emissions from electricity use accounts for 82 per cent of total emissions, two thirds of which arise from train services. Litter and other waste makes up 5 per cent of the total. However the benefit of recycling saved around 150,000 tonnes CO2e, emissions which would have been released had this waste gone to landfill.”

What were the assessments key findings?

“LU’s carbon footprint is sizeable, largely due to the amount of electricity required to run the operational railway. However, as identified in our carbon footprint, the organisation is well prepared for future carbon reduction work and a number of projects that have the potential to dramatically reduce carbon emissions are being implemented across the organisation.

“In 2007/08 London Underground’s carbon footprint equates to 93 grams CO2e per passenger kilometre.

“The majority of LU’s carbon emissions result from purchased electricity consumption. As the largest consumer of electricity in London, LU’s electricity consumption in 2007/08 was 0.4 per cent of all the electricity used in the UK and 2.8 per cent of London’s total usage. The total annual electricity consumption is just over one terawatt hour (TWh) each year which is enough electricity to power over 250,000 households per year.

“Emissions from electricity use accounts for 82 per cent of total emissions. Traction energy required for train services contributes 68 per cent. Infraco activities [companies responsible for LU maintenance] represent 10 per cent of all carbon emissions. Waste management adds a further 5 per cent to the total carbon footprint. Direct fuel usage at LU is responsible for just 1.8 per cent.”

How does this compare with other major cities?

“London’s transport system is already relatively carbon-efficient by world standards. Ground-based transport accounts for only 22 per cent of London’s CO2 emissions – less than many other major world cities including New York (23 per cent) and Rome (34 per cent). In fact, London has achieved a five per cent modal shift from private car to public transport use between 1999 and 2006 – the only shift of this type achieved in any major city.

“A recent report published by Imperial College compared the carbon footprints of the worldwide Community of Metros (CoMET). The assessment compared the CoMET members by calculating the carbon emissions arising from traction power and the electricity used in their stations and depots. This total was then converted to grams CO2 per passenger kilometre,

“The carbon footprints were found to vary for three main reasons:

- Different system characteristics (Metros with heavily-graded networks).

- Train loading patterns (Metros that exhibit high passenger numbers).

- National electricity emission factors and electricity grid mix.

“All of the metros that have a lower operational carbon footprint than LU are located in countries/areas that also have much lower electricity emission factors.

“The relatively high levels of coal and gas that are used in the UK to generate electricity drive the nation’s electricity emission factor up, whereas in Paris and Toronto, comparatively low levels of CO2 are emitted due to a higher provision of nuclear power generation within the two countries. In São Paulo, the CO2 impact of the metro is negligible as almost all of the area’s electricity is provided by hydroelectric power.

“If the UK national electricity emission factor was the same as in France, LU would be the third most carbon efficient metro in the CoMET group.”

What major Scope 1 and 2 reduction initiatives will result from the Carbon Footprint assessment?

“The line upgrades and increased train frequencies necessary to deliver the increase in passenger capacity will result in increased energy demand and associated carbon emissions. LU has established, is currently implementing and also continuing to explore innovative methods and techniques that can be applied to ensure that we are as efficient as possible with the energy that we use and how renewable technology can be applied to power our operations wherever possible.

“We have already been working to reduce our carbon footprint in the following ways:

“Improved energy efficiency from 750V electricity supply plus the application of regenerative braking on the Sub-Surface Line Upgrade (Circle, District, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan Lines) will mitigate the forecasted energy impact by 35 per cent, saving up to 10,000 tonnes CO2 each year.

“Regenerative braking capability on the new Victoria line rolling stock will reduce the potential energy increase by 24 per cent saving nearly 7,000 tonnes CO2 every year.

“Following the completion of the line upgrades programme, all LU rolling stock will have regenerative braking capability.

“LU currently procures green tariff electricity for supply to its offices, stations and depots. Despite the benefits of purchasing renewable electricity, there is significant uncertainty regarding the additional environmental benefit of the green electricity tariffs on offer. In essence, there is a question whether these tariffs achieve any new renewable capacity or carbon saving beyond that created by regulation.

“In addition, there are concerns about potential double counting of the carbon benefit from renewable generation. Following guidance issued by Defra and the Carbon Trust, the 2007/08 LU carbon footprint includes all carbon emissions from the electricity used at offices, stations and depots calculated at the National Grid electricity emissions factor.

“LU’s Energy Sourcing Strategy sets out an approach on energy supply including considerations for renewable energy and how onsite renewable generation could be implemented at the organisation to provide green electricity for the business. There is a particular focus on both combined heat and power (CHP) and wind energy, both of which are recommended for further and more detailed investigation

“A study funded by the TfL Climate Change Fund has identified 20 technologies that could reduce carbon emissions on LU stations. A feasibility study commenced in late 2008 to identify the applicability and associated carbon savings of each of these technologies. This will result in LU having accurate information on the costs and benefits of each technology. The study will also provide information on the costs and programme for the implementation of these measures at LU stations across the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines.”

How are you involving staff on the low-carbon journey?

“Launched on World Environment Day 2007, the Energy Pledge aimed to raise awareness of energy efficiency amongst staff and to deliver electricity savings across the company. Employees across Transport for London (TfL) were invited to ‘pledge’ to carry out an energy saving behaviour every day for six months.

“Hundreds of London Underground employees signed up to the pledge during the six-month campaign. At head offices, electricity use fell by 9 per cent compared to the previous year. In total, this resulted in a saving of over 990 tonnes CO2.

“Re-launched in 2008, the Energy Station Challenge (ESC) is a station-based initiative that aims to encourage LU station staff to reduce their total energy consumption via a competition. Stations are awarded points based on their total energy savings when compared to the same period in the previous year. In 2008, a network of Line Energy Champions was installed to promote energy saving at a line level and previous results have shown our stations consumed 14 per cent less energy in 2006/07 compared to 2000/01.”

What is your proudest low carbon achievement?

“Assisting with a project at my previous employer to construct a £20m biomass boiler at its 130-year-old refinery in Silvertown, East London. Thought to be the largest of its kind in London, the new boiler will slash carbon emissions associated with energy use at the site by 70 per cent in less than two years as well as contribute to reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint by 25 per cent in the same period.

“More recently, calculating the 2007/08 carbon footprint at London Underground, thereby assisting the organisation to identify opportunities for improved environmental performance and energy efficiency, ensure compliance with tightening regulations and highlight cost savings.

“Fully applying the GHG Protocol methodology to complete the carbon emissions inventory for the oldest underground railway in the world has assisted LU to prepare a carbon footprint that represents a true and fair account of the organisation's emissions. With a baseline year established, the organisation can now set targets for carbon emission reductions in accordance with the actions highlighted in LU’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Plan.”

Any advice for fellow carbon reduction professionals?

“I believe that managing resources, protecting an organisation’s corporate reputation and controlling the cost of compliance with new regulations all make everyday business sense.

“In today’s commercial environment it is clear that organisations are susceptible to a number of risks of which climate change is only one. In the coming years, it is my opinion that the impact of climate change upon businesses will grow significantly. Most importantly of all, the issue now needs to become an item on boardroom agendas.

“Continually communicate your message relating to climate change from within your post. By working hard and being commited to your subject, you will get results.

“Never give up even when presented with seemingly insurmountable problems and go to work every day feeling as though you can make a real difference.”

New Policies For A Planet In Peril

The incoming Obama administration is widely expected to bring major changes to US policy on climate change generally, and on carbon emissions reduction in particular. Among other things it signals a reversal of the Bush doctrine that action on carbon emissions is bad for business.

Notoriously, the Bush administration gave up the global leadership role conceived for the US during the Clinton term and turned its back on the Kyoto Protocol. It’s easy to forget that the US wasn’t always a laggard on international emissions agreements, or so blinkered about the stimulus this could deliver to new industries.

In his role as a US negotiator, former Vice-President Al Gore pushed for the introduction of market mechanisms into the Kyoto framework, with the aim of making emissions reduction good for business as well as the climate. “Bush has always taken the position that agreements on emissions would be unfair on US industry, favouring those in countries such as India and China,” reflects Alessandro Vitelli, Director of Information Services at the IDEAcarbon consultancy.

On the international stage the US may have dug in its heels, but at home a more nuanced picture emerged. Significant progress has been made, with many States setting emissions reduction targets of up to 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. Some of these States are also participants in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the first mandatory, market-based effort in the US to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade mechanism. Participants Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont aim to reduce their energy sector emissions by 10% by 2018.

Launched on the West Coast, the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) brings together Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Utah, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In September 2008, WCI committed to the first phase of a cap-and-trade programme which will begin in January 2012 and run for three years. The second phase will include transportation, residential, commercial and industrial fuels. Aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020, the programme will cover nearly 90% of the region’s emissions, and more than 70% of the Canadian economy and 20% of the US economy.

Green drivers of economic recovery

As well as a new President, the US has a new-look legislature. All the new members of the Senate and 65% of new members of the House of Representatives come from States with renewable energy portfolio requirements – standards requiring public utilities to use renewable sources for a minimum of their total energy needs, or buy credits from the marketplace. Some traditionally Republican states have begun adopting such targets, Missouri being the latest.

At the national level, a Bill seeking to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 70% per cent by 2050 came before the Senate in 2008, and although it did not pass, many believe that a similar Bill is likely to return in some form. Such expectations were fuelled by Obama’s acceptance speech, in which he identified “a planet in peril”, along with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the economic crisis as the three main challenges facing the US.

The make-up of the Obama-Biden Transition Project – the team charged with ensuring the new President hits the ground running – also provided valuable clues. Co-chair and former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta has gone on record in favour of 100% auctioning in cap-and-trade, while members of the advisory board include Arizona Governor and WGI member Janet Napolitano, and Carol Browner, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Clinton years.

Although Obama has pledged to cut US carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels a Federal cap-and-trade Bill is unlikely before 2010, according to Lord Nicholas Stern, Vice Chairman of IDEAcarbon, who met with Obama’s advisors ahead of the election

“The convoluted structure of US government means that it takes time for Obama to settle into office and appoint his Cabinet, and the legislative process in the US means that it will take time to have a cap-and-trade bill debated, amended and ratified. For this reason I would expect cap-and-trade to be in place in 2010, with the bill emerging in the short term. The top two priorities on Obama’s agenda will be the Iraq war and the economy, but Obama is showing the link between green drivers of economic growth and recovery,” Stern says.

Growing renewables, shrinking emissions

Squaring the demands of the environment and the economy points the way to increased government backing for the US renewable energy sector, IDEAcarbon believes. “Obama’s approach will be tempered by the exigencies of the recession,” reflects Alessandro Vitelli. “But this means that support for renewables could be a lead proposal in efforts to reduce emissions. This approach would have other advantages – job creation, and helping to ensure the security of the energy supply too,” he says.

Obama’s proposals in this area include a $150 billion investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency over the next ten years; targets for achieving 10% of US from renewable sources by 2012, and 25% by 2025; a national low carbon fuel standard and 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2012.

Corporate tax incentives encouraging greater use of renewable energy, such as the Production Tax Credit (PTC) introduced in 1992, have helped to stimulate the US industry in renewable energy technologies and it has become a world leader in areas such as development of advanced solar cell technologies. Further support for Obama’s clean energy initiatives will come from the sale of emission allowances, which if auctioned at the 100% level endorsed by some members of his team could provide a substantial flow of dollars for the renewables industry. As Stern points out, this also means that US action on renewables and climate change will tend to move forward in harness.

Only time will tell if this marriage will be a happy one for the environment, but it certainly points the way to a renewed engagement between business and action on climate change.

Key questions:

·How does our low carbon strategy square with our strategy for weathering the economic downturn?

·What opportunities will there be from the growth of renewable energy?

·How will the new direction from the US impact on our business?