Partnering for a Greener Future: Our Commitment to Improving Air Quality
At Equans UK & Ireland, we are committed to understanding and addressing our impact on air pollution. Our goal is to assess, report, and take meaningful action to reduce air pollution.
Clean air is essential for life, health, the environment, and the economy, with air quality being considered the largest environmental risk in the UK (Gov UK). Air pollution can be caused by vehicles, how we generate power, heat buildings, produce food, and transport power. As a leading Facilities Management provider, Equans has an important role to play in limiting any negative impacts our operations may have on air quality.
We have partnered with Ricardo PLC, a strategic, environmental and engineering consultancy, as part of their Air Pollution Footprint Partnership. This partnership, developed by Ricardo with backing from the Clean Air Fund and Impact on Urban Health, aims to understand the sources of air pollution and how to report them.
In May 2023, we participated in Ricardo’s pilot project for their air pollution footprint scheme, focused on identifying effective methods for reporting emissions that affect air quality, specifically PM2.5, PM10 (particulate matter), and NOx (nitrogen oxides). Guided by the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme/European Environmental Agency Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Guidebook, which provides internationally recognised methodologies for estimating emissions across various anthropogenic sources, Ricardo developed a reporting toolkit. During the pilot phase, Equans and several other organisations tested the toolkit’s functionality and usability for estimating air pollutant emissions.
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Our involvement in this initial pilot enabled us to join the Air Pollution Footprint Partnership. Following the pilot, we decided to further explore the toolkit’s potential, leading to its rollout across multiple sites. We are now testing the toolkit not only at our healthcare locations but also at university, corporate, and industrial sites. Our plan is to estimate and measure air pollutant emissions and to use this information to better understand our emissions so we can enhance air quality.
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving air quality, we have introduced sustainable transport solutions, such as e-cargo bikes, across various sectors, including healthcare and local authority contracts. Simon Hayman, Healthcare Regional Director for Equans UK & Ireland, who has led on this initiative, highlights how these bikes have not only streamlined ground maintenance operations but also contributed to reducing air pollution in highly congested areas by replacing diesel vans.
In addition, we have been actively exploring ways to improve indoor air quality. Pathogen Reduction Solutions Limited has developed a technology that safely and effectively inactivates airborne pathogens within indoor Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and other enclosed air handling systems. This system uses high-intensity ultraviolet light (UVC) for pathogen control. In August 2023, we installed this solution in one of our London offices to assess its impact. The results revealed that the system now helps protect occupants from airborne viruses, bacteria, and moulds, while also reducing the influx of polluted, often carcinogenic, outdoor air into the building.
Through collaboration and innovation, Equans is not just addressing air pollution, but actively shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Impressive efforts by Equans to combat air pollution! Your initiatives with Ricardo plc and e-cargo bikes sound like a great step toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.