Recording fuel use, vehicle mileage and journey distances is becoming compulsory following the Government’s decision to introduce mandatory greenhouse gas emission reporting for publicly quoted companies from next April, according to Jaama.

Greenhouse gas reporting includes emissions from vehicles ‘owned or controlled’ by companies including cars, vans and HGVs.

But, the forthcoming regulation excludes the mandatory reporting of business travel by means ‘not owned or controlled by the organisation’, which includes employees driving their own vehicles on business trips.

The Government has said it has excluded such journeys due to logistical difficulties and the administration burden.

Jaama says technology such as its Key2 Vehicle Management system is an essential tool for businesses to effectively and efficiently compile an emissions audit trail.

The UK is the first country to make it compulsory for companies to include emissions data for their entire organisation in their annual reports.

The introduction of the reports, following consultations with leading businesses, will, says the Government, enable investors and customers to see which companies are effectively managing the hidden long-term costs of greenhouse gas emissions.

Jaama sales and operations director Martin Evans said: “By accurately measuring and then reporting emission levels, fleet operators can gain board approval for introducing new measures to enhance environmental management, which could include introducing more low emission vehicles, trimming fuel use and implementing mileage management procedures.

“Overall the effect of introducing an emissions focus will be to operate a cleaner, greener fleet that overall clocks up fewer miles thus potentially cutting costs.

“Not only that, but just like the implementation of occupational road risk management solutions in recent years which has contributed towards improving organisations’ corporate social responsibility, so emissions reporting can enhance a company’s reputation and brand value.

“Just as occupational road risk management best practice dictates that companies have a comprehensive audit trail of drivers, vehicles and journeys so greenhouse gas emission reporting necessitates a similar audit trail in relation to vehicles, journeys and fuel usage.”

The UK is committed to cutting UK carbon emissions to 50% of 1990 levels by 2025.
Reporting is the first vital step for companies to make reductions in these dangerous emissions. It is estimated it will save four million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2021.

See this week’s Fleet News for more on Government plans to make greenhouse gas reporting mandatory.