Construction company deconstructs carbon

Construction company Willmott Dixon relies heavily on transport to get its business done. With 730 fleet vehicles of its own, plus that number again in the grey fleet, it acknowledges its environmental responsibilities and has firm structures in place to address the challenges.

Its aim was to cut fleet carbon emissions by 30 per cent between 2008 and 2010 and, across the company, to become carbon neutral by 2012. To do this, it employs both carrot and stick.

Fines have been introduced for divisions in which drivers exceed a combined business and commute mileage ‘allowance’ of 25,000 miles. But as these penalties could reduce business unit results by thousands of pounds (with the cash being ‘recycled’ to fund other low-carbon initiatives) worried managers were fearful their teams would be penalised for simply doing their jobs. However, in practice, the rule has focused their minds – and their actions And if 25,000 miles sounds a lot, drivers in the construction industry can clock up such distances quite easily as they visit sites across the country. Furthermore, such lengthy trips have implications for safe and efficient working practices. Whilst the introduction of the new limit attempted to reduce carbon emissions by changing the business culture of driving, the wellbeing of staff, increased productivity and potential cost savings  were also seen as key benefits.

Unsurprisingly, carrots were much more welcomed by employees than the stick. A cash payment of at least £500 for anyone choosing a lower emitting vehicle – whether privately or as a company car – generated no complaints at all. The £500 bonus kicks in for a vehicle emitting 130 g/km, with a further £10 paid for each gram below that. By this calculation, an employee choosing a Toyota Prius emitting 89 g/km receives £910. In its first year, the scheme paid out  £90,000: a considerable investment but one that reduces fuel costs and visibly proves Willmott Dixon’s commitment to environmental improvement.

But that’s not all. The company’s average CO2 target of 150g/km by September 2010 was met early: the fleet is already at an average of 137 g/km and continues its downward trajectory. The self-imposed maximum permitted CO2 of any vehicle on the fleet list just two years ago was 160 g/km. By next year it will be just 130 g/km.
Rob Lambe, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon’s internal sustainability consultancy Re-Thinking, says: “Encouraging our staff to play their part in reducing fleet emissions was critical. Because we provide a wide range of vehicles employees had significant amounts of choice.  The choice editing we applied was not so restrictive that it prevented people from picking a car they wanted rather than one they had to have.”

National recognition for the company’s achievements came earlier this year when the Energy Saving Trust’s Fleet Hero judges honoured Willmott Dixon’s initiatives. The annual award ceremony, held in conjunction with the Department for Transport, recognises organisations that have made significant fleet achievements. Willmott Dixon won the category of “leadership in the private sector,” with the judges saying that the company evidenced a “holistic, transparent approach to fleet management that is integrated with its CSR policy.” Willmott Dixon is now also a member of the Energy Saving Trust’s Motorvate programme, which is only open to organisations that have made a firm commitment to continuing environmental improvements in their fleet.

For more information
Web: www.willmottdixongroup.co.uk