Thames Green Scheme
The Thames Green Scheme is an independent environmental performance indicator for inland waterways commercial and services operators to gauge their environmental performance across factors including air quality, carbon, energy, water quality, litter, and waste.
It has been developed to support the inland waterways community in achieving the goals set by the updated Port Air Quality Strategy (PAQS) for the tidal Thames by the Port of London Authority in 2020, and Clean Maritime Plan published by Department for Transport in 2019 and the UK government’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment.
Vessels and operators eligible to apply for assessment include coasters, workboats, service boats, tug, passenger vessels (Class V), dredgers, barges and tankers.
Participating fleet operators will be scored on their corporate and vessel data and awarded a ‘tier’ correlating to their environmental performance. Depending on the score operators will be allocated to one of five tiers (bronze, silver, gold, diamond or platinum) and be able to display this to help customers make environmentally informed choices.
The Thames Green Scheme website is now available.
Aims of the scheme
The Thames Green Scheme aims to recognise the early adopters of new technologies and/or fuels to create a cleaner and healthier environment for people and wildlife.
Specifically, it will:
- demonstrate the environmental benefits of Thames operations and to recognise the early adopters of new technologies and/or fuels that will reduce emissions to air;
- help customers and businesses pick “green” transport options that suit their needs and values;
- allow stakeholders to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility, drive environmental performance and promote sustainable business through joining the scheme as incentive providers.
How it will work – for operators
As an operator, the Green Scheme is a perfect way to showcase all the effort and work you put in to minimise the impact of your operations on the environment. All participants to use the Green Scheme endorsement logo in marketing and promotional material, allowing the public and customer to distinguish you as an environmentally friendly operator from others that are not as environmentally conscious.
You can use the scheme as a tool to direct improvement in your environmental performance and become a leader in inland waterway transport best practice.
To find your initial Green Scheme tier, you will need to enter both corporate and vessel data via the Thames Green Scheme website.
The corporate assessment will be look at the following areas:
- Environmental management: e.g. ISO 14001 standard, renewable energy
- Waste and litter management: e.g. recycling, storage
- Oil Spill management: e.g. spill kit, report
- Nuisance complaints management: e.g. noise, wash, black smoke, and light pollution
- Carbon footprint: e.g. calculation of carbon footprint, reduction target and action plan
- Involvement and awareness of wildlife conservation, new green technologies, and litter: e.g. social media, newsletter, research collaboration and sponsorship, new technology trials
Each vessel will be assessed across three main areas:
- Air quality: e.g. engine standard, fuel type & emission abatement technologies
- Energy efficiency: e.g. behavioural and technical modifications to be energy efficient
- Black & greywater management, if applicable: e.g. reducing the generation of black and greywater
How it will work – incentive providers
We welcome any stakeholders, including ports, shipping organisations, marine service providers, and suppliers, to join the Green Scheme as an incentive provider, rewarding the early adopters of new technologies/approaches and driving better environmental performance.
It is a perfect way to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility, drive environmental performance, and promote sustainable business. The incentive providers can define the eligibility and the type and level of incentive they wish to provide.
Please register on the Thames Green Scheme website if you wish to join the Green Scheme as an incentive provider.
Visit the Thames Green Scheme website
Page updated 28/1/2022
