Northern Rail recognised for environmental management

Northern Rail has achieved the newly established IS0 14001:2015 environmental management certification for its effort to integrate environmental work into core business processes.

From left: Matt Gantley, Managing Director for NQA and Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Northern Rail

The operator has become one of the first businesses in the country to attain the recently launched environmental management certification. The international standard ISO 14001:2015 sets out a framework for effective environmental management systems in business. Northern Rail certification recognised the company’s work to integrate sound environmental practices across its entire business operations with a focus on environmental leadership from top management and business-wide communication.

The environmental management assessment was carried out by global certification body NQA.

Commenting on the certification Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Northern Rail said: “Northern is delighted to have achieved this standard. We’ve worked hard to embed a business wide strategy for environmental management; from managing our energy use to pollution prevention. Our approach enables us to address challenges collaboratively with our people, making sure we are all contributing to sustainable improvements in our environmental performance.

“We are committed to ensuring Northern is at the heart of an environmentally responsible public transport network in the North. In addition to our environmental management and protection initiatives, we continue to grow our electric fleet. As we look ahead to the new Northern franchise in April next year we will continue to champion investment in new trains.”

Matt Gantley, Managing Director for NQA, said: “Northern Rail is the first in the world to achieve certification with NQA to the new ISO 14001:2015 standard.

“This achievement demonstrates exceptional corporate leadership. Northern’s customers can be more confident of choosing a service provider that protects and improves our environment.

“As an ISO 14001 certified businesses Northern can better conserve or replenish the resources we need, for our economy to prosper in the future.

“Congratulations to all of Northern Rail’s people for leading the way.”