Sustainability is increasingly a concern that crosses modern societies and should guide not only business, but each of us in particular.
| Recognizing its importance, CARRIS joined several organizations (BCSD and UITP Charter on Sustainable Development), becoming responsible for compliance with measures to encourage and develop good practices in public transport for Sustainability. CARRIS sustainability is an important contribution to sustainable mobility in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon and to sustainability in general. Based on this paradigm the company has been defining its development policy and strategy for continuous improvement in economic, social and environmental terms, also focusing on innovation and quality aspects. Over the last few years, the company has sought to adjust its operation to market needs, increasing their efficiency and performance, being nowadays a national and international reference of good practice in the transportation sector. . Carris Sustainability Report 2008 Behaviours and sustainable practices |
BCSD Adherence
| CARRIS joined, in the first quarter of 2007, the BCSD (Portugal) - the Supreme Council for Sustainable Development. |
Impact of Carris restructuring process
- Optimization of available resources
- Operational costs reduction
- Continuous improvement of the transport service
- Minimizing energetic and environmental impact inherent in their business
Main objectives of BCSD
- Promote and disseminate sustainable development principles;
- Promote links between business, government and civil society to promote sustainable development;
- Develop training programs that lead to effective communication of sustainable development principles;
- Define projects and collect case studies that illustrate and stimulate sustainable development, promote and participate in specific activities of portuguese companies related to sustainable development.
UITP Charter on Sustainable Development
| Following the signing, with the International Union of Public Transport - UITP in September 2007, of Charter for Sustainable Development with the status of "Full Charter Signatory", CARRIS publicly committed itself to the principles of Sustainable Development, becoming responsible for the completion of actions that both stimulate and develop good practice in sustainability for public transport and for the preparation of regular reports about the implemented actions, involving different aspects of sustainability. The signing of this Letter of Commitment, has underlying the sustainability policy and strategy that CARRIS has been developing in its activity, essential for sustainable mobility and overall sustainability, taking into account the principles of general economic interest, social and environmental. Accordingly, the company has undergone a profound process of internal restructuring, through modernization (especially in the fleet), the optimization of resources/reduce of their operational costs, continuous improvement of the transport service and the minimization of energetic and environmental impact inherent to its activity and, above all, an attitude increasingly focused on the customer, on their needs and requirements. |
Sustainability Barometer
Carris reaches 89,3% in Sustainability barometer
In 2008, CARRIS participated, for the second consecutive year, on the publication of the study “Estado de Arte das Práticas de Sustentabilidade em Portugal”, promoted by Banco Espírito Santo, Jornal Expresso and BCSD (Portugal) - Business Council for Sustainable Development, in partnership with Heidrick & Struggles.
CARRIS reached 89,3% in Sustainability Barometer (73% in 2007), above the national average which was 55,82% for public enterprises. The global average of the study was 64,08%. Carris takes part on the Top 21 of enterprises in Portugal, thus it is in international "Best-in-Class" level.
Reviewing overall results of the study, CARRIS stands out in Environmental Dimension, on the criteria of Environmental Policy and Management and Environmental Reporting, in Management Dimension, on the criteria of Crisis and Risk Management for Business and Customers Relationship Management, and in Social Dimension, on Social Responsibility criteria.
Energy Policy
Rolling Stock
The choice of public transport of passengers must be increasingly encouraged, as it is the most suitable response to the growing needs for mobility and it is also a factor of Sustainability in cities life.
To face the Sustainability challenges, in the energy and environmental side, and in line with the Plan "Portugal Efficiency 2015", Carris believes that the most decisive aspects, in transport operator's view, are:
1 – Fleet Renewal Policy
Timely renewal of bus fleet, ensuring a modern fleet with an average age within the European standards (between 6 and 7 years).
2 - Suitable Energy Management in Transport Activity
· Promotion of rational usage of energy, with particular emphasis on improving Energy Efficiency;
· Reduction of the energy bill by careful vehicles selection, fleet maintenance (including corrective measures), vehicles driving, traffic and operation conditions management
3 - Dissemination/Experimentation and Use of Alternative Fuels
CARRIS, in its social responsibility keeps playing an important role in this regard:
. Buses running on natural compressed gas (and/or biogas) - Otto-cycle thermal propulsion;
. Buses with diesel/biodiesel mixtures - thermal propulsion of diesel cycle;
. New-generation hybrid buses - thermal propulsion of Diesel cycle/electric traction;
. Buses running on fuel cell - electric traction (Hydrogen - H2 as fuel).
Propulsions/Alternative Fuels
· Biodiesel
· Compressed Natural Gas
In heavy vehicles, due to technological developments in the last decade and the expected evolution in the coming years, Diesel propulsion using diesel and other fuels will still remain.
The propulsões / alternative fuels are additional options and a major learning for the future, in line with the objective pursued by Brazil and the European Union. The EU (Directive 2003/30/EC - legislation recently transposed into national legislation by Decree - Law No. 62/2006) introduced the objective in the transport sector to ensure that 20% of total energy consumption is provided by alternative fuels, by the year 2020 (involving biofuels - biodiesel / bioetano / biogas - natural gas and H2).
The propulsions/alternative fuels are additional options and a major learning for future, in line with the aim pursued by Portugal and EU. The EU (Directive 2003/30/CE - recently transposed into national legislation by Decree-Law nº 62/2006) introduced the purpose to road transport sector of ensuring that 20% of total energy consumption is provided by alternative fuels, until 2020 (involving biofuels - biodiesel/bioetano/biogas - natural gas and H2).
Objectives
. Improving safety on energy supply;
· Energy diversification
· Reducing energy dependence of EU (namely oil)
· Reducing greenhouse gases emission
d 2009 | www.carris.pt