Sustainability

There are many definitions of sustainability, this is due to the varied elements that it covers. Sustainability is often associated only with the environment, but its development covers far more issues. 

“Sustainability is creating resilient communities, taking action to be environmentally friendly and ensuring we are financially stable.” 

Find out more by reading our Sustainability Strategy.

Carbon emissions are the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, mainly as a result of human activities. When Co2 is released into the atmosphere, the heat is trapped causing global warming.  

As a result we are experiencing:  

• More severe weather events  
• Rising sea levels  
• Biodiversity loss and species extinction  
• Loss of food production  
• Worsening health conditions  
• Increased poverty  

500 Fire Extinguishers

the equivalent of one ton of CO2.

500 litres of consumed diesel

the equivalent of one ton of CO2.

138 meat-based meals

the equivalent of one ton of CO2.

1961 vegetarian meals

the equivalent of one ton of CO2.

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All of our RBFRS fire stations have been upgraded to LED or have plans to be upgraded as part of their wider refurbishment works. During a recent LED project to upgrade five our sites we saved dozens of tons worth of CO2. 

Benefits of LED Lighting:   

We currently have Solar PV at three of our fire stations including Crowthorne. We have committed to delivering a solar pv project to assess our estate and install solar at as many sites as financially and practically feasible.  

Benefits of Solar PV: 

• Renewable Energy: Solar energy is a virtually infinite and renewable resource, reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.
• Environmentally Friendly: Solar PV systems generate electricity without emitting harmful greenhouse gases, contributing to a cleaner environment.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Installing solar PV can save between 700kg and 1 ton of CO2 per year, depending on the system size. 
• Reduced Electricity Bills: By generating your own electricity, you can significantly reduce your energy bills, especially with battery storage.
• Financial Incentives: Governments often provide incentives like feed-in tariffs or smart export guarantees, offering a tax-free income for excess energy sold back to the grid. 
• Increased Property Value: Solar PV systems can increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers. 

Currently our fleet is not fully electric due to the requirements of our operational vehicles and the range they need to cover emergencies. We are, however, transitioning our non-operational fleet to electric and will continue to do so while upgrading our charging infrastructure to support this. We will aim to adopt more sustainable approaches to travel and vehicles as we see more technological advancement.  

• Zero Tailpipe Emissions: EVs produce no exhaust emissions, reducing local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial for improving air quality in urban areas. 
• Life Cycle Emissions: While EVs themselves emit no tailpipe emissions, their overall environmental impact depends on the source of the electricity used to charge them. In regions with clean energy sources, EVs have a significant life cycle emissions advantage. 
• Renewable Energy Integration: EVs can be powered by renewable energy sources, further reducing their carbon footprint. 
• Efficiency and Power: EVs convert a higher percentage of electrical energy into motion compared to traditional vehicles, making them more efficient and providing better acceleration.  
• Quieter and Smoother Ride: EVs are quieter and offer a smoother driving experience, contributing to reduced driver stress and potentially safer driving habits. 
• Regenerative Braking: EVs can recover some energy through regenerative braking, improving efficiency and reducing wear on brake pads. 
• Reduced Noise Pollution: EVs contribute to quieter environments, reducing noise pollution in urban areas. 
• Future-Proofing: As governments phase out internal combustion engines, EVs are becoming the future of transportation, with increasing infrastructure support.

All RBFRS sites participate in recycling in the following streams:  

• Dry Mixed Recycling
• Glass waste
• General waste
• Food waste  

The importance of Recycling:

• Conservation of Natural Resources: Recycling helps reduce the need to extract, process, and refine raw materials, which conserves natural resources and protects ecosystems.
• Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Recycling requires less energy than producing new materials, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change.
• Waste Management: Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, where it can decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Economic Benefits: Recycling is often cheaper than waste disposal and can generate valuable materials for reuse.

Importance of Reducing Consumption 

• Prevention of Waste Creation: Reducing consumption is the most effective way to minimize waste generation, as it avoids the production of new materials and their eventual disposal.
• Energy and Resource Savings: Producing fewer goods reduces energy consumption and conserves raw materials, which are essential for maintaining environmental health.
• Environmental Protection: Lower consumption levels decrease pollution from manufacturing processes and reduce the environmental impacts associated with extraction and transportation.
• Cost Savings: Reducing consumption can lead to financial savings for individuals and communities by minimizing the need for new purchases and waste management.