Translink supports the first UK Zero Carbon Bus Tour

Translink has joined forces with the Northern Ireland Local Government Association and sustainability organisation Planet Mark to launch the Northern Ireland leg of the first ever UK Zero Carbon ‘battle bus’ tour.  The initiative will be offering carbon reduction workshops and practical net zero advice to businesses across NI.

With just 5 weeks to COP26, the United Nations global climate conference in Glasgow, the UK wide tour aims to enable organisations to make zero carbon pledges as part of the UN-backed #RacetoZero campaign and in line with government targets for net zero, helping them at least halve emissions by 2030.

The Zero Carbon Bus Tour was facilitated to visit Northern Ireland by NILGA, working with the UK Government Department for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Translink’s new zero emission hydrogen bus will replace the Planet Mark team’s usual electric bus for this part of the UK innovative tour, creating an opportunity to showcase the work being done to decarbonise public transport in Northern Ireland.

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive said, “Climate change is the most pressing environmental challenge of our time. Transport has a significant role to play in tackling this and reaching net zero emissions both regionally and globally. As such we are delighted to support this initiative which is a great way for us to showcase what we are doing to transform NI transport for a cleaner and greener future.

“We have already set ambitious targets as part of our Climate Positive Strategy. By accelerating our actions through innovative and ground-breaking work to decarbonise public transport and develop energy efficient schemes to address the climate crisis we aim to achieve net zero emissions across our buses, trains and buildings by 2040 ahead of government targets and then becoming Climate Positive by 2050.

“Having already introduced three zero emission hydrogen powered buses into the fleet at the end of last year, and with a further 100 battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles starting to arrive later this year we will soon have the 4th largest zero emission bus fleet in the UK and Ireland.

“Shaping a brighter future is not something we can achieve alone. It requires collaborative and decisive action from everyone.  We look forward to hearing about all the impactful projects and initiatives that businesses across NI are progressing to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Steve Malkin, founder and CEO of Planet Mark: “Planet Mark is excited to be partnering with Translink and NILGA on the Northern Ireland leg of our Zero Carbon Tour.

“The aim of the Tour is to inspire, educate and provide the impetus for businesses of all shapes and sizes to take action, set zero carbon targets and implement achievable steps to deliver continuous carbon reductions over the coming years.

“By demystifying what organisations need to do to achieve net zero, as well as providing them with the practical tools and resources they need, we hope that all businesses – from blue chip corporates to local retailers and everyone in between – will be able to play their part in taking meaningful action at this crucial time to halt the climate crisis as we help the whole of the UK move to net zero. Collectively, we can make a difference and small businesses of all kinds can be part of the national effort to combat climate change.”