NOT many fleets can claim to have a 100% alternatively-fuelled fleet as well as an incentive scheme that encourages staff to ditch the company car in favour of the local bus.

These are just two of the green policies introduced by the North York Moors National Park Authority in recent years.

Admittedly, it’s not a large fleet, with just under 20 vehicles, but the environmental principles it has adopted could teach larger fleets a thing or two about wider green issues. North York Moors NPA has now been awarded the Fleet News BP-sponsored Environmental Star Award, which recognises outstanding efforts to reduce a fleet’s impact on the environment.

Chris Leggett, head of support services at NPA, said: ‘NPA wants to be seen as an exemplar organisation practising what it preaches about protecting the environment.’

North York Moors NPA operates a fleet of company cars used by rangers patrolling the park and pool cars used by other members of staff. The pool cars are mainly Vauxhall Astras and Agilas and the ranger patrol vehicles are Land Rovers and Renault Kangoos.

The fleet operates on fuels ranging from petrol-electric hybrids to bio diesel. Leggett explained: ‘Our pool cars have had factory conversions to run on petrol/LPG and the 4x4s run on bio- diesel. Since April 2004, we have been using bio-diesel.

‘We are about to replace four pool cars. Two will be Honda IMA petrol/electric hybrids and the other two Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTis running on 80/20 bio-diesel.’ The fleet currently operates on a three-year replacement cycle and, where possible, the North York Moors NPA tries to replace vehicles with green alternatives.

Leggett said: ‘We introduced LPG and bio-diesel to ‘green’ our fleet and we will not do anything that is not seen as sustainable where we have a choice.’

The North York Moors NPA’s strategy on green initiatives is clear-cut. It has a strong commitment to a green agenda and has a ‘green team’ that meets monthly to discuss and promote sustainable working. Several key initiatives have come out of these meetings, including the staff pool car scheme and other energy-saving ideas.

Leggett explained: ‘The pool car scheme was introduced four years ago. Before this, staff used their own vehicles so we had no control over emissions. North York Moors NPA has also undertaken many local initiatives promoting energy efficiency, recycling of office waste and supporting fair trade producers.’

Staff incentives, including extra holiday entitlement, are also helping the North York Moors NPA achieve its green targets.

Leggett said: ‘Anyone who car-shares for more than half the month is given extra days of annual leave. We are trying to encourage people to think about how they travel.’