Briggs CEO Richard Close

Briggs Equipment is planning to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2040. What's more, the UK forklift supply and service company aims to be completely carbon neutral by 2050, well ahead of targets set by the UK Government.

Led by the company's Environment, Health, Safety and Quality team based at Briggs's Cannock headquarters, the new environmental strategy has been kick-started by a range of initiatives across the company.

CEO Richard Close explains that the strategy consolidates a host of policies Briggs introduced over the past two years and presents a clear vision of its future plans.

"We realise that it's not possible to become carbon neutral overnight, but we're confident that the policies we have now - and those to be introduced in the next few years - will make a significant contribution towards the fight against climate change," he says.

Among the policies introduced are new rules on low-emission company cars and a reduction in business travel thanks to investment in the latest communications technology.

There's also an extensive staff training program to help drivers use their vehicles more efficiently that will be underpinned by local management within the company.

Briggs is also introducing energy-efficient devices that switch off computers when they're not in use and sensors that ensure lights are only used when needed. The company is also committed to sourcing products and services locally and other procurement systems to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

"On their own, these actions wouldn't make much difference to our carbon footprint, but together they will bring huge benefits, not just to the environment but to reducing business overheads," Close says.

"All these programs will be monitored regularly to ensure they're as effective as possible and, in the longer term, we'll be embracing 'green' technology whenever we can," he adds.