Translink’s drive towards a cleaner greener future
By Chris Conway, Group Chief Executive, Translink
At Translink we are acutely aware of the climate crisis and the important role public transport will play in addressing it.
We have set ambitious targets to half our green house gas emissions by 2030, become net zero by 2040 and go further to become climate positive by 2050.
These targets are achievable, and we’re well on our way to making them a reality. We have already introduced the first hydrogen buses on the island of Ireland and with a further 100 zero emission electric and hydrogen buses ordered and due to start arriving, Translink is set to have the 4th largest zero emission bus fleet across all UK regions next spring.
As well as showing environmental leadership, our Climate Positive strategy recognises the need for collective positive change in the attitudes and behaviours of everyone. While we take steps to decarbonise our business, we are also working with all stakeholders to incentivise more use of public transport as an easy and more sustainable way to take individual action to tackle the climate emergency.
Transport accounts for 35% of all consumed energy in Northern Ireland and 23% of all greenhouse gas emissions come mostly from the private car. We want to be a catalyst for positive change. Many people are already telling us they want to use cleaner, healthier and use more active travel modes as a simple way to take climate action. This smarter travel choice also brings wider environmental benefits around freeing up space in our cities and urban areas for people and active travel, creating cleaner air to breathe for a healthier place to live, work and visit.
If everyone takes small steps like changing their travel behaviours, together we can make a big impact to protect our planet both regionally and globally.
Making an effective and successful public transport network is vital, for not only the economic and social well-being of our society, but our environmental well-being too. That’s why we are committed to continuing to enhance and improve everything we do.
Climate change is happening now – doing more of the same is no longer an option and COP26 presents a unique opportunity to place the spotlight on using sustainable, active travel.
Translink is extremely proud to be leading the transport transformation to decarbonise and move to renewable energy solutions as part of NI’s green recovery and help make a real difference for everyone’s quality of life.
Climate Change is everyone’s business – Let’s Change Together.