Crown Oil Becomes the First UK Fuel Supplier to be Certified Carbon Neutral
We’re excited to announce that we’re the first UK fuel supplier to receive carbon neutral status under the PAS 2060:2014 Framework. The Crown Oil Group recognises the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use on a local and global scale and due to our first-hand relationship with our customers, understand how deeply dependent society is on oil-based products. We are aware that this is not an excuse for inaction but instead, a growing opportunity to make positive change now. As society makes it difficult to transition to a net zero carbon world, we want to change and evolve to serve our customers with the lowest possible environmental impact.
That’s why we’ve put sustainability at the core of our business and are going above and beyond to find ways to reduce that impact. We understand that real lasting change requires action rather than just words, and we’re changing the way we fuel our future.
Becoming a carbon neutral business is a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal of becoming Net Zero. While we work towards this, our Managing Director, Matthew Greensmith wants to ensure we are doing everything we can to reduce our emissions, rather than sitting and waiting for it to come for us. This led to him setting the target for the Crown Group to be certified carbon neutral by April, using this as a springboard to continue working towards our long-term goal of net zero direct emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030, but ideally much sooner.
To support this ambition, we have taken steps to fully understand our present environmental impact with a detailed and transparent carbon footprint study across all aspects of our operations (Scope 1, 2 and 3). We are doing this by identifying and delivering carbon reduction projects and compensating for residual emissions through the use of offsets while being aware of the challenges and improvements needed with this approach.
We understand there is some scepticism surrounding carbon neutral status, so to ensure transparency and continual improvement, we have partnered with a third party company to verify our emissions and obtain certification to the PAS 2060:2014 standard for carbon neutrality.
This specifies a 4-stage process to demonstrate carbon neutrality and involves:
- Assessment of GHG emissions based on accurate measurement data
- Reduction of emissions through a target-driven carbon management plan
- Offsetting excess emissions, often by purchasing carbon credits
- Documentation and verification through qualifying explanatory statements and public disclosure
Aligning with this standard will hold our business to account and proves that we are following a robust carbon reduction and avoidance strategy to achieve our long-term goal.
While we continue on this path, Crown Oil is actively investigating a range of environmental commitments and pledges relevant to our business, such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) which is currently developing a methodology specifically for the oil and gas sector.
What is the reason behind becoming a carbon neutral net zero business?
Climate change is a serious issue that’s affecting each and every one of us
To limit the rise in the average global temperature to 1.5oC, the UK government has set a goal of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Businesses have a responsibility to do their bit to help reduce the effects of climate change. At Crown Oil, we take this responsibility seriously.
We have a duty to our customers
As a fuel supplier, our operations have a direct influence on our planet, so we are actively implementing ways to reduce not just our own carbon footprint, but our customers’ footprint too.
Our constant push for innovative and sustainable solutions led us to take a risk in 2019 and import HVO fuel into the UK market, providing our customers with a direct alternative that reduces net greenhouse gas emissions whilst requiring minimal capital expenditure to adopt.
We care about improving local air quality
Greater Manchester is planning to get to Net Zero by 2038. As a local family-run business, we are passionate about fuelling positive change within our local communities.
Doing good and doing well go hand in hand
We’re making big changes to not only improve our reputation, but because it’s the right thing to do for our planet and for future generations.
What steps have you taken to reach this point?
Other than a lot of background work to obtain accurate emissions data for our operations, we have already started to invest in significant improvements and have a number of initiatives in place to ensure continual reductions in emissions.
Begins voluntarily offsetting delivery emissions
Heavily invests in HVO to help businesses reduce their environmental impact
Wins Fuel Oil News’ Tanker of the Year Award
Switches entire fleet to HVO
Wins UKIFDA Green Award
Office efficiency upgrades
Certified carbon neutral by April 2022
Starts company initiatives e.g. tree planting
Office buildings powered by renewable energy
Fuel system pump upgrades
Small vehicle upgrades to electric
Net Zero direct emissions
(Scope 1 & 2)
What is carbon neutral?
Carbon neutral refers to when there is a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks.
We’re a fuel company, how can we be carbon neutral?
Becoming carbon neutral requires a business to balance its carbon emissions with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset. Alternatively, it can purchase enough carbon credits to make up the difference between its emissions and a zero-carbon baseline.
We are certified carbon neutral by switching our entire delivery fleet to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and offsetting all emissions across the Group by using a certified offsetting company.
What else are we doing for the environment?
Discover what other initiatives we have in place to help the Crown Oil Group achieve net zero direct emissions by 2030 or sooner.
Why not join us on the road to a cleaner future? To speak to a renewable fuel specialist call us on 0330 123 1444 today.
