ScotRail has been awarded for its commitment to tackling climate change and improving the environment with two Green Apple Awards.
During the awards ceremony ScotRail picked up a Scottish Gold Green Apple award and a National Green Champion (Champion of Champions) prize.
The Gold Green Apple recognises ScotRail’s work in biodiversity.
ScotRail’s work to protect habitats and support of charities was recognised with the National Green Champion prize.
ScotRail has offered learning and development opportunities to school children, the long term unemployed and vulnerable individuals through its Biodiversity Fund.
The biodiversity enhancement programme has:
- Invested £40,000 annually supporting Scottish organisations and charities.
- Engaged with and upskilled 188 volunteers and dedicated 752 volunteer hours on ScotRail biodiversity projects.
- Engaged with schools in deprived areas promoting biodiversity learning and providing travel facilities to 328 school children and 191 adults.
- Provided financial support to Sunnyside Primary in Glasgow’s Craigend helping them deliver their award winning #NaeStrawAtAw campaign to reduce single use plastics.
- Supported biodiversity improvement projects at four depots and 32 stations covering the whole of Scotland
- Funded peat bog restoration at Forsinard Flows in Caithness one of the largest raised bogs in Europe and an important carbon sink.
ScotRail works closely with biodiversity groups such as RSPB and The Conservation Volunteers group (TCV) to meet its biodiversity targets.
Planters and green spaces at ScotRail stations are maintained by Station adopters who carry out gardening activities.
A part of derelict land at Perth station has been developed into an award-winning biodiversity garden.
ScotRail emphasised how proud they are to receive the biodiversity awards.
Nicole Tyson, ScotRail Sustainability Manager said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition of the important work we are doing to support biodiversity improvement throughout Scotland.
“The project has grown from a few stations, to many of our depots and projects outside of our own portfolio.
“We will continue to develop current projects.
“The example of partnership working at Perth Station Garden will be followed to encourage staff and community engagement at other locations.”
