Arup, Spirax-Sarco and Bolt outline ambitious climate targets

Engineering firms Arup and Spirax-Sarco Engineering have unveiled new net-zero carbon targets, with Arup targeting net-zero emissions by 2030 and Spirax-Sarco aiming for 2040, while mobility platform Bolt aims to become carbon negative by the end of the year.

Arup’s net-zero goal will cover its operations, including energy used in offices and the goods and services it purchases. The company has set targets, validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 30% by 2025 against a 2018 baseline.

In addition, Arup will purchase Gold Standard certified offsets for all domestic and international flights, as well as covering other residual emissions. A carbon levy of $40 per tonne will be applied to flights taken by employees to promote more sustainable methods of travel and virtual meetings.

Arup’s global sustainable development leader Jo da Silva said: “While the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic it is crucial that we do not take our eye off the ball when it comes to reducing emissions and managing the approaching risks because of climate change.

“We have taken these steps to consolidate our efforts to reduce the impact of our operations around the world. But the greatest difference we can make is through the advice and solutions we offer our clients and communities – from helping city leaders take practical steps to meet the Paris Agreement, to working with property developers to understand how digital technology can reduce their resource consumption.”

Arup’s net-zero target arrives alongside UK engineering manufacturer Spirax-Sarco’s own net-zero ambition.

Spirax-Sarco has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This will see the company source 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 as well as establishing a biodiversity net-gain target in the same timeframe

“As a large and successful engineering company with a legacy of industry leadership and technical innovation, Spirax-Sarco Engineering is well positioned to take a leading role in the transition towards a more environmentally and socially sustainable economy,” the company’s chief executive Nicholas Anderson said.

“I firmly believe that it is our responsibility to be an agent of positive change as we manage and improve our own sustainability and help our customers and suppliers to do the same. These are just some of the commitments that Spirax-Sarco Engineering, and its Group companies, will make as we accelerate our Sustainability agenda and performance in the coming years.”  

Away from engineering, mobility platform Bolt has announced a commitment to become carbon negative cross its e-scooter operations by the end of the year. This will mean that Bolt will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its production and maintenance of e-scooters adds to it.

Carbon negative scooters

Bolt currently operates PHVs in 35 territories and e-scooters in 14 countries worldwide with an ambition to reach 45 cities by the end of the year. It will apply an existing carbon offsetting programme to cover its expansion.

In addition, Bolt will review its supply chain and encourage organisations and partners to switch to renewable energy sources where possible. Data will also be shared with the cities in which it operates to help shift to a more sustainable mode of transport.

Bolt’s co-founder and VP for sustainability Martin Villig said: “At Bolt, we take climate change seriously, and intend to take responsibility for our environmental impact. That’s why we are committed to climate positive e-scooter operations by the end of the year. Micro-mobility offers a unique and sustainable mobility solution for cities and individuals looking to offset their carbon footprint and make transport choices that are greener.

“Our unique multi-modality proposition and in-house produced e-scooters are just two of the ways we aim to deliver long-term sustainability of our e-scooters in all of our markets, and our pledge to leave minimal environmental footprint with a climate positive ambition for the end of 2020.”

Matt Mace