BRIGHTON and Hove Buses has been recognised for cutting carbon emissions by 30 per cent in three years.

The bus company and Metrobus have been awarded the ISO 50001.

This is an International Standards Organisation accreditation which sets the standard of excellence for energy management.

The figure has dropped by nearly 70 per cent over the past ten years.

Managing director Martin Harris said: “This is recognition of our drive to keep Brighton and Hove Buses at the forefront of emission reduction in our community.

“It represents a big step forward for the transport industry as a whole.

“The award underlines our commitment to emissions reduction, a smaller carbon footprint and improved air quality.

“However, this is just the beginning.

“At a group level, Go-Ahead are targeting a further 20 per cent reduction by 2021 and we’re confident of reaching that ambitious target.”

The company spent £7.76 million last year on 31 almost emission-free Euro 6 standard buses and aims to operate a zero emissions fleet by 2030.

Judith Turner is environment and energy technical manager at Lloyd’s Register, the company which runs the accreditation process.

She said: “Brighton and Hove Buses’ certification to ISO 50001:2011 demonstrates the company’s commitment to energy efficiency and continual improvement.

“Its energy management system can help them achieve greater carbon and energy reductions.

“It will take them one step closer to achieving their ambition of positioning public transport as part of the solution to climate change.”

Having already held the certification for rail services, Go-Ahead is the first transport group to secure this globally recognised certification for all its bus and rail UK operations.

Brighton and Hove Buses has been part of the Go-Ahead Group plc since 1993. The Go-Ahead philosophy runs its transport companies as autonomous businesses.