Astley Hire makes green progress

1 November 2023

Astley Hire is continuing its successful journey towards net zero. 

As reported previously, last year the company achieved carbon-neutral status under the PAS 2060 framework produced by the British Standards Institution. 

Director Martin Doran tells me that the Leigh-based business continues to monitor its carbon footprint and to make further reductions to become net zero by 2050. 

Martin’s background is in accountancy and he says that a similar approach is adopted in carbon accounting. The impact of each element, such as vehicle usage, is calculated by using accepted government greenhouse gas conversion factors. 

“I have devised a spreadsheet that records all the data and calculates the progress we are making each month. This also helps to forecast the impact of any future developments we might make, such as fleet purchases.”

All Astley Hire’s car fleet now comprises electric or hybrid models and HVO fuel is used in its sizeable powered access equipment fleet. 

“Some of the biggest carbon contributors, like 26-tonne delivery wagons, are more challenging because electric replacements with a suitable range aren’t available yet,” says Martin. “Maybe one day we will have hydrogen powered models.” 

The carbon assessment calculation also enables the payback period of possible future measures to be determined, such as fitting roof-mounted solar panels to premises. 

“We can clearly show the positive steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint without having to adopt ‘lazy’ practices like carbon offsetting. 

“It’s taken a lot of hard work. But in ten years’ time I’ll have a decade of carbon accounting data which will help us in achieving our net zero targets,” adds Martin. 

Photo: Alan Guthrie