Written by John Swire
Leading commercial fuel supplier Watson Fuels has launched a carbon offset initiative providing farmers and its customers in the agricultural sector with a convenient and cost-effective way to help reduce their carbon footprint.
For 2019 Watson Fuels became a fully carbon neutral company by taking various actions and using carbon offsetting to compensate for its residual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. It recently launched its own Carbon Offset Fuel to support to the sector in managing its carbon footprint.
Operators can reduce their emissions by becoming more energy efficient, but for emissions that cannot be eliminated, such as from transport and heating, these can now be offset when placing a fuel order directly through Watson Fuels.
By choosing to purchase carbon offset fuel through Watson Fuels, users are lowering their carbon footprint and directly contributing to global carbon reduction projects, such as forestry projects, renewable energy initiatives and waste to energy projects.
Many of these projects also contribute towards the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UN SDGs) that Watson Fuels has committed to.
Founded in 1957, Watson Fuels has been delivering an efficient, safe and reliable service for fuels and lubricants to the agricultural sector for over 60 years – helping sites and projects operate efficiently and effectively.
As part of its carbon reduction plan, supported by its parent company World Fuel Services, Watson Fuels will improve its fuel economy, having pledged to replace 30% of its own fleet of 350 vehicles with new energy efficient models by the end of 2021, reducing the fuel it uses to power its fleet.
It is also currently sourcing 100% renewable power for its buildings and since 2019 has purchased carbon offsets to compensate for the emissions related to its fleet of trucks, both UK and globally.
Watson Fuels’ Vice President, Claire Bishop, said: “Reducing the carbon footprint of Watson Fuels and becoming carbon neutral has always been an important priority for our business. We are passionate about reducing our own emissions and, aided by our colleagues at World Kinect Energy Services, we understand the complexities of becoming carbon neutral, ahead of the government’s 2050 Net Zero deadline.
“Our aim now is to support our customers to be able to achieve their own carbon reduction goals through our new carbon offset fuel packages, by providing a cost-effective, convenient and simple way to do it. The first step is to become more efficient by finding ways to reduce energy use, then replace with lower carbon fuel options where available and any emissions that can’t be eliminated that way, can be offset by switching to carbon offset fuel from Watson Fuels.”
A division of World Fuel Services, Watson Fuels combines a tailored, local service with the backing and scale of a Fortune 100 global energy leader. With operations in over 200 countries and territories, partnerships with major and regional suppliers, and strategic product inventories around the world, Watson Fuels can offer a single point of provision for all fuel, lubricant and energy needs.
Through World Kinect Energy Services, also part of World Fuel Services, the agricultural sector can also find support. From understanding current carbon impact and developing a robust sustainability plan, to sourcing renewable energy and offsetting emissions, their global team has a proven track record in providing custom sustainability consultations and solutions.
Senior Director of Global Sustainability, Therese Gjerde, said: “Our wider company mission is to equip our companies, partners and their own customers with solutions and expertise to help lower carbon across our global network. It’s exciting to see that Watson Fuels is on that journey, while also supporting its customers in making a significant, tangible difference in the race to Net Zero.”
To better understand your carbon impact, Watson Fuels has a simple carbon calculator that allows you to calculate your carbon emission equivalent and the impact of your fuel use. Check it out here.
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