Environmental impact Medium
Employer/employee ranking 39/22
Staff numbers 1,669
Energy reduction n/a
Recycling n/a

When Eurostar waved goodbye to its Waterloo home and moved to St Pancras International station last year it also became the world’s first train operator to make all journeys carbon neutral, at no extra cost to its customers. Staff at the high-speed train operator say their employer’s environmental commitments are serious, giving an 85% green score in our survey.

Travelling to Paris or Brussels by Eurostar emits 10 times less carbon dioxide than flying. But the company isn’t resting on its laurels. For instance, seven years before European Union legislation demands it, the chemicals used in the air-conditioning on its trains are being replaced by more environmentally friendly alternatives. However, while staff know the company does a lot for the environment (83%) they think this may be driven by a desire for good publicity (giving a low positive green score of 51%).

Tread Lightly, the company’s environmental campaign, was launched last year. It set a target of 25% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per passenger journey by 2012, and is looking into making modifications to its trains to make them more energy efficient. An 85% score shows the workforce thinks Eurostar’s environmental impacts are improving.

Three points are key to Eurostar’s environmental drive: reduce usage wherever possible, source supplies responsibly and recycle what is used or produced. A full-time environment and energy team ensures these promises are delivered, and 34 Tread Lightly “champions” throughout the business make sure the message is getting through to staff. It seems to be working — an 84% score shows they are aware of the firm’s environmental policy.

About 70% of the company’s waste is recycled, and staff know where to put rubbish for this (88%). The company has its own recycling and sorting plant, which should make the target of 80% recycling by next year possible.

Low-energy light bulbs illuminate the car park at the Ashford International station and light sensors are used in the offices so that they only come on when needed. The train company’s new depot in east London is in a “double-skinned” building. The extra insulation of two wall panels keeps the heating bills down, and reduces energy consumption.