Pressures are increasing to reduce the environmental impact of the internal combustion engine. Important factors underlying this are economic growth coupled with increasing understanding of the adverse health effects caused by engine-derived pollution. Initially, the main target was to reduce harmful emissions from road vehicles, and following a great success on this front the focus is now shifting to what are collectively known as ‘off-highway’ engines. For many years, this type of engine was virtually unregulated, but now emissions limits are coming into force in many parts of the World. Perhaps even more persuasive than the legislation is the power of the consumer, increasingly demanding of the companies they choose to do business with.
In recent years, many large companies have begun benchmarking their environmental performance against that of their peers, as part of their policy on Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR). The Environment Index provides a robust mechanism through which UK companies environmental performance in a variety of categories can be tested and compared. In the year 2004, 68% of companies in the FTSE 100 voluntarily participated, together with 24% of companies in the FTSE 250. Including their supply chains, these companies account for an enormous share of the economic activity of the United Kingdom. One of the core categories (known as ‘impact areas’) which applies to all participants is ‘energy and transport’. Participants are also required to select two impact areas (from a list of twelve) which they consider to be most relevant to their industry sector. The third most popular category in the 2003 survey was ‘emissions to air’.
The public sector, which is responsible for spending about 41% of GDP in the United Kingdom, is also at the forefront of environmental engagement. In order to encourage adoption of clean engine technologies, a significant number of publicly funded bodies have introduced targeted policies. These typically fall into one of three categories:
- Restrictions on the use of dirtier engines in specific locations (e.g. city centres)
- Grants or tax incentives to subsidise the costs of retro-fitting older engines with clean technologies
- Purchasing policies which require contractors or suppliers to minimise their environmental impact
It is clear that environmental matters are now high on the agendas of both big business and the public sector, and minimising exhaust gas emissions is an important component.
Blackthorn has specialised in providing high-quality and innovative solutions in this area since 1996 – please contact us to discuss your plans or requirements.
Further Information
The most comprehensive source of information on global emissions regulations can be found on Diesel Net at www.dieselnet.com.
A link to the Environment Index is provided on the Business in the Community website at www.bitc.org.uk
Sources of information on local programmes are more fragmented. At Blackthorn we maintain an awareness of schemes which apply in the United Kingdom, and we are happy to carry out specific research in this respect in order to advise potential customers.
