The First UK Company to Be Certified Carbon Neutral by BSI to ISO 14068

At Crown Oil, we’re passionate about leading by example. Driving positive change is in our blood and we’ve been doing just that since 2020 – from being the first UK fuel supplier to run our entire delivery fleet on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), to being the first to be certified carbon neutral in line with PAS 2060 standards back in 2022.

But our proudest achievement to date is becoming the first company in the whole of the UK to be certified carbon neutral by BSI in accordance with the new ISO 14068-1 standards. This is a huge accomplishment for us, particularly as a fuel supplier, and demonstrates that if you really want to make a positive change you can, regardless of your industry.

What is BS ISO 14068?

Published in 2023, BS ISO 14068 is a publicly available specification created by the International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO) as part of the ISO 14000 series for environmental management. It provides a rigorous and robust framework to avoid greenwashing, building on the 15 years of governance of PAS 2060 and has replaced this standard.

The globally recognised standard specifies the requirements for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality through the quantification, reduction, removal and offsetting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This has provided us with the support, documentation and protection required to ensure high confidence in our carbon reporting.

How have we achieved carbon neutrality?

From our first-hand experience with our customers, we are aware of how reliant society is on oil-based products for daily life, despite them being a primary source of GHG emissions. This means, we are in a unique position to make a positive impact on the environment in the way we deliver fuels whilst influencing our customers to transition to a net-zero carbon world.

At Crown Oil, we are in our fourth year of reporting, previously being certified PAS 2060 carbon neutral following official BSI audits on ISO 14064-1 and third-party ISO 14068 verification.

Our strategy involves continuous emission monitoring, reduction efforts and offsetting through credible projects, all while balancing environmental responsibility with financial sustainability.

We have achieved carbon neutrality by reducing our emissions by as much as possible and then offsetting those that we can’t reduce or avoid by purchasing and retiring a diverse portfolio of carbon credits. These credits adhere to the stringent criteria outlined in Chapter 11 of the BS ISO 14068-1:2023 standard and were sourced from verified projects that ensure real, additional, measurable, and permanent GHG emission reductions or removal enhancements.

We will continue to calculate our organisational carbon footprint annually using BS EN ISO 14064-1 and the GHG Protocol, covering scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 emissions.

Our progress

• Our total carbon footprint of 5,695 tCO₂e (FY 23/24) has decreased by 36.2% since our baseline (20/21). Our scope 1 emissions have dropped significantly from 2,844 tCO₂e to 293 tCO₂e – an 89.7% reduction
• Scope 2 emissions also saw a sharp reduction in the same period, from 201 tCO₂e to just 22 tCO₂e, an 89.1% reduction that accounts for 0.39% of our total footprint
• Finally, our scope 3 emissions, which are the hardest to control, are responsible for 94.46% (5,380 tCO₂e p.a.) of our carbon footprint

Our journey to net zero and carbon neutrality is an ongoing process, and we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. We are investing in the research and development of future low-carbon fuels and technologies, recognising that continuous improvement is essential. We believe that by working together – with our employees, suppliers, customers, and the wider community – we can create a more sustainable future for all. This commitment is not just about reducing our carbon footprint; it’s about building a better future for generations to come.

-Mark Andrews, Director, Crown Oil