South Western Railway
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022)
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:301,750 tonnes CO2e/year
Waste Generated:Over 2,000 tonnes/year
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity
- Community Engagement
- Accessibility
- Employee Wellbeing
- Diversity & Inclusion
Environmental Achievements
- Replaced over 16,000 old light bulbs with LEDs, cutting energy consumption by a fifth and saving 1,164 tonnes of CO2 a year.
- Diverted 100% of operational waste from landfill, with 77% recycled (up from 27% in 2017).
- Reduced water use by 40% in the last year by fitting aerated sensor mixer taps.
Social Achievements
- Increased the number of station adoption groups by 1000%, from seven to 80.
- Launched 'Try the Train' trips for those lacking confidence in train travel.
- Implemented accessibility health checks at flagship stations.
- Ran a Million Metre Challenge to improve employee physical activity and wellbeing.
Governance Achievements
- Achieved accreditation of the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme.
- Published a diversity, equality and inclusion strategy and roadmap.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Become net zero across scopes 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions by 2040
Medium-term Goals:
- Achieve net positive impact on biodiversity across stations and depots by 2030
- Entire apprenticeship programme to achieve Gold standard in Investors in People by 2025
Short-term Goals:
- 85% waste reuse, recycle, or compost by 2025
- Biodiversity action plans for 50 locations by 2024
- Achieve Level 3 in the Disability Confident Leader Programme by 2023
- Equip at least 70% of stations with step-free access by 2023
- All employees to complete best practice inclusion training by end of 2024
Environmental Challenges
- Climate change impacts on service operations.
- Reducing scope 3 emissions (supply chain).
- Improving air quality at stations.
- Addressing waste generation from operations and customers.
Mitigation Strategies
- Working with Network Rail on climate change adaptation plans.
- Working with supply chain to reduce emissions.
- Developing a joint project to assess and improve air quality.
- Improving waste recycling and composting rates.
- Implementing a circular procurement standard.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- ISO 20400:2017 for sustainable procurement
- Embedding awareness of modern slavery and safeguarding into training and contracts
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018, ISO 20400:2017, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 55000:2014
Certifications: ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018, ISO 20400:2017, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 55000:2014, Safeguarding on Rail Scheme
Third-party Assurance: Independent specialist
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 3: Good health and well-being
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 14: Life below water
- Goal 15: Life on land
The report outlines how various initiatives contribute to these goals.
Awards & Recognition
- Shortlisted for Best Apprenticeship Programme in the Investors in People Awards 2022