Manchester Encourages Green Bus Drivers!

Greetings,

First Bus Group has recently announced the implementation of a bonus policy called DriveGreen for drivers of all 784 of its buses in Greater Manchester. Apparently this scheme could see each driver saving up to 500 litres of petrol per annum, and save First over £44,000 and 132,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the first year alone. Schemes like this really show that by making small changes you soon make a significant impact in terms of carbon production. Perhaps they might also consider adding to their bonus criteria careful driving in conjunction with cyclists... savings on limbs and lives might also help reduce carbon (not to mention the zero-carbon impact which cycling provides!)

Onwards & upwards!

Lucy.

100W Bulbs Banned By EU

Greetings,

Hurray! At long last...

This might have slipped under the radar but just so you are aware effective from the 1st of September this year, it will be illegal to import 100W incandescant pearl or frosted bulbs into the EU. The aim of this legislation is to encourage the use of long life energy saving bulbs, which use only one fifth of the energy of an incandescant bulb, and can last up to seven years before they need replacing.

Whilst some people are lamenting the loss of the incandescant bulb, I am so glad to see that the EU is taking positive steps to reduce the amount of energy being used unnecessarily across Europe.

Ever lighter footprinting!

Lucy.

Bentley - Somewhat Missing The Point?

Greetings,

I was initially encouraged to see that car manufacturer Bentley of all people were making an eco-car, the Bentley Continental Supersports 'Extreme'. Bentley have always been associated with the manufacture of large cars with even bigger engines and so this seemed to be an interesting change of direction for them. (For more information about Bentley's biofuels policy and research see here)

However I am sorry to report that whilst the 'Extreme' runs on a hybrid 85% bioethanol fuel, it is still a 630hp two seat sports car which only does 11.5mpg and emits 388g of carbon dioxode per kilometre. Whilst the 'Extreme' does show a significant improvement upon its counterparts, I just can't see how this type of car is still viable or even, dare I say it, legal in this day and age?

Onwards & upwards!

Lucy.