Applegreen has formally committed to using Net Zero methodology to reduce the direct carbon footprint of its Irish operation by 90% by the year 2030.

The company will achieve this through initiatives including cleaner energy and enhanced EV solutions and has also committed to offsetting any residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.

This announcement by Applegreen is part of the company’s ‘Drive Change’ sustainability strategy, which prioritises a low carbon future across the company’s asset network and supply chain, as well as offering cleaner energy solutions. This commitment from Applegreen is a key milestone on their route to carbon neutrality by 2050. Applegreen’s route to carbon neutrality will encompass all ‘Scope 3’ emissions* including fuel distribution, waste management and supply chain commitments.

“This signals the next major step in our sustainability journey,” said Fiona Matthews, Managing Director of Applegreen Ireland. “We are focusing on what we can do now, with a tangible and transparent commitment to achieving Net Zero in our own operations by 2030.”

“As a business we are very aware of the role our industry plays in contributing to carbon emissions,” Ms Matthews said. “Our business is based around roadside retailing and we take our responsibility to act now very seriously. We are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”

By the end of 2022, Applegreen will have implemented a policy ensuring a minimum of partial EV use for business operations across all company cars. By 2026, all new business vehicles purchased by Applegreen will be fully EV, while by 2030, all Applegreen company cars will be fully electric EV. The company currently offset all tailpipe emissions from vehicles which distribute fuel and product to stores nationwide, which are third-party owned and operated.

Applegreen will also continue sourcing only 100% renewable electricity to power the company headquarters in west Dublin, as well as its network of service stations around Ireland.