Zenith, the UK’s leading independent leasing fleet management and vehicle outsourcing business, has today signed the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Action Pledge.
As part of the pledge, Zenith has committed to taking action across four key areas:
- Protect the organisation from climate impacts
Zenith is implementing the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. The TCFD will assess the likely impact of climate risks and opportunities to Zenith, earlier than the 2024 deadline.
- Net zero by 2050
Zenith has committed to go net zero by 2050 at the latest and is working to identify value chain emissions up and down the supply chain to help inform ambitious but achievable targets.
- Improve biodiversity in the local area
Zenith is working with its building managers and local communities to improve biodiversity around its offices and sites.
- Promotes taking climate action in a fair way that involves all stakeholders
Zenith conducts an annual “materiality assessment” to identify the most important sustainability priorities for both Zenith and its stakeholders.
The pledge was launched in 2021 by the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, an independent body that brings together organisations in the region to support climate action. The commission aims to start a ‘sprint’ of focused action on climate across Yorkshire, which will put the region firmly on the road to net zero, protect the economy from climate impacts, and boost its natural assets while unlocking the benefits of a green economy.
Commenting on the pledge, Zenith CEO Tim Buchan said: “With climate and ecological challenges being felt across Yorkshire and the Humber, including extreme weather like flooding and heatwaves, every business needs to get climate ready.
“As one of Yorkshire’s biggest employers, we understand that we have a responsibility to take action to protect our organisation, preserve our local environment and adopt sustainable practices, to the benefit of our employees, local communities and beyond.
“That’s why we’ve signed the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge, which marks another step in our journey towards becoming a net zero business, and we will be providing an annual update on our progress.”
Liz Barber, CEO of the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, added: “It’s time for us to seize the initiative as a region and show how businesses and organisations can demonstrate strong leadership at all levels here in Yorkshire and Humber. It’s excellent news that all sorts of organisations, big and small, are making this public commitment.
“We want to see a year of progress that puts us on the road to net zero, improves our fantastic natural assets, helps us build our resilience to climate impacts, and does this in a way that leaves no-one or nowhere behind.”