Tag: HVO

An Post achieves 50% CO2 target early

An Post has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions three months ahead of schedule, becoming one of the first national postal organisations in the world to reach this milestone—a rare example of a large semi-state commercial body delivering measurable climate impact while simultaneously growing its business and profits.
An Post’s original target of a 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 was set in 2017; however, in 2021, An Post brought forward this target to the end of 2025, reflecting the urgency of delivering climate action and demonstrating its commitment to pursuing Ireland’s sustainability goals. Today’s announcement demonstrates tangible progress motivated by the 2015 Paris agreement and a 1.5-degree climate change limiting scenario, a key focus for the COP 30 Climate Change summit in Brazil. The transition to EVs and to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in HGVs has created a cleaner, quieter and healthier environment for communities nationwide.
Through a €100m investment to decarbonise its operation, more than half of An Post’s delivery routes are now electrified by the nation’s largest electric vehicle fleet. A total of 95% of heavy vehicles have been switched to renewable HVO fuel, with 99% of its buildings now powered with green energy. This 50% milestone has been achieved despite a 300% increase in parcels, from 20 million delivered in 2009 to 78 million this year, representing 1.25 million extra parcels delivered each week.
Speaking at the announcement, David McRedmond, CEO at An Post said:
“At An Post our commitment to sustainability is real. We are building a cleaner, more resilient logistics network for decades to come. Achieving the 50% reduction target early is proof of how serious our commitment is. As the operator of the largest fleet in Ireland, this has required a relentless approach to electrifying the fleet and using renewable fuels. It is a huge credit to the frontline staff in An Post, across every community, that while transforming to a parcel logistics business they have also achieved a world-class standard in sustainability.
“Halving our emissions is a huge step, but it is only part of the journey. The next task is to meet net zero by 2030. Achieving the first of our targets gives us renewed confidence that we will also achieve this goal on time with more EVs, renewable fuel and energy. “We act for the common good, now, and for generations to come” is our promise, and today, thanks to the amazing efforts of An Post staff, our suppliers, and our customers, we can show that we are delivering.”
Commenting on An Post’s achievement of the 50% reduction target, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said:
“I am delighted An Post has reached such a significant milestone and is using its growing electric fleet to drive delivery of parcels, letters and transformative change in environmental sustainability on the path to net zero.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD added:
“I warmly welcome An Post’s excellent achievement, and I welcome the ambition to achieve net zero by 2030. I recognise that An Post and the post office network provide an excellent service and value to communities, and An Post is now also creating a cleaner, quieter, and healthier environment.”
Owen Keogh, An Post Head of Sustainability explained that An Post is now one of the largest electric vehicle operators per capita in the world.
“There is currently one EV for every 2,700 people in Ireland, and An Post is ranked amongst the top five global postal companies for sustainability, positioning it as a leader in decarbonised logistics and a model for public-sector transformation.
“Our experience with EVs has been exceptional with 50% fewer breakdowns and reduced mechanical interventions compared to diesel vehicles. An Post expects to extend EV leases to up to seven years from 2026. This year alone, An Post EVs will travel 18 million kilometres emissions-free, keeping Ireland moving with cleaner air for communities”, he added.
€200 million has been invested in An Post’s Green Light Strategy, transforming the business whilst driving both sustainability and strong commercial performance. The company is now halfway to net zero emissions by 2030 with additional EVs and HVO-fuelled trucks as well as more solar energy at buildings planned for the coming years. This 50% milestone demonstrates that sustainability and commercial success can advance together.

Certa expands to 25 HVO sites across Ireland

Certa, which is part of DCC plc, is expanding to 25 HVO fuel sites across Ireland as it responds to soaring demand from thousands of diesel drivers who are choosing the renewable fuel to reduce their carbon emissions while they hold back on switching to an electric vehicle (EV).

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is produced from waste plant matter and can be used as a direct replacement for diesel without any need for engine modifications to help motorists lower their carbon emissions by up to 90%.

Demand for HVO is being driven by diesel drivers who want to ‘go green’ but who have put off switching to an electric vehicle (EV) for a variety of reasons, including the cost of buying an EV, the lack of charging infrastructure across the country, and not having their own driveway or off-street parking where they can install a home charger.

Certa is expanding its HVO offering at a rapid pace and its new HVO fuel site in Portlaoise, which opens to the public this week, is the 25th such site to open over the past 18 months across 17 counties, marking a significant milestone for the company and the fuel industry in Ireland.

Certa opened Ireland’s first fully fledged HVO fuel station in Liffey Valley in late 2023 at a cost of €1 million. 15 of the 25 HVO fuel sites that Certa currently operates have opened over the past eight months and the company has plans to open five more HVO fuel sites over the coming months.

Certa operates a total of 54 forecourt sites and is now the largest supplier of HVO to motorists across Ireland. Demand for the renewable fuel has also been helped by Certa’s decision to provide the new HVO pumps alongside its diesel and petrol pumps. The fuel is distinguished by a pink nozzle to stand out from the traditional black diesel and green petrol nozzles.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Certa is delighted to open our 25th HVO fuel site in Portlaoise this week and to continue leading the way in making HVO more widely available to motorists across Ireland. Our goal is to make it easy for motorists to transition to HVO as a renewable alternative to diesel to help them to lower their carbon emissions.

‘Diesel and petrol cars accounts for 84% (2.14 million) of the cars on Irish roads. 17% of all   new cars sold in Ireland so far this year were diesel. Diesel drivers are holding off on making the switch to EV driving for a variety of reasons. HVO provides an alternative solution and diesel drivers are switching to this biofuel where it is available to them.

“The demand for HVO has grown as we have opened each new HVO fuel site across our network and our plan is to complete the upgrading of our entire network into next year as we continue our journey towards a net zero future.”

The Certa and Emo forecourts selling HVO include Liffey Valley, Finglas (Clearwater), Dundrum, Clarehall, Tallaght and Greenogue in Dublin; Lee Tunnel in Cork, Corofin in Clare, Letterkenny in Donegal, Ballinasloe in Galway, Maynooth in Kildare, Killarney in Kerry, Portlaoise in Laois, Moyne in Longford, Dundalk in Louth, Ballyhaunis in Mayo, Trim in Meath, Kilcormac in Offaly, Clonmel in Tipperary, Waterford city in Waterford, Athlone and Mullingar in Westmeath, and Castlebridge, Gorey and Wexford town in Wexford.

Vodafone Ireland Powers Flavours of Fingal 2025 as Official Connectivity Partner

Vodafone Ireland has been announced as the sponsor of the Walled Garden and the official Connectivity Partner for this year’s Flavours of Fingal, one of Ireland’s largest summer family festivals, organised by Fingal County Council. Taking place on July 5th and 6th at Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate, the event is expected to welcome in excess of 65,000 visitors.

As the official connectivity partner, Vodafone will deliver enhanced mobile connectivity across the festival grounds—supporting families, foodies, and local businesses alike. The Vodafone Walled Garden will serve as a vibrant hub for live music, food, and digital connection, while vendors and event organisers benefit from robust network infrastructure designed to keep everyone seamlessly connected.
Vodafone Ireland is gearing up to connect people at events across the country this summer with their improved network. After kicking off this summer of connectivity at Bord Bia Bloom, Vodafone will be enhancing connectivity at events such as Kaleidoscope, All Together Now, the National Ploughing Championship, Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival, Electric Picnic, St. Anne’s Park, and the Phoenix Park.
Vodafone has also enhanced the mobile service on its network locations such as Emerald Park and in Wexford Town for the Fleadh Ceoil, ensuring that families stay connected this summer. Vodafone will optimise its network services at large venues, such as the Aviva Stadium, to provide a better customer experience to those attending events such as Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa.
Following a record-breaking summer last year, Vodafone is set for another summer of connectivity as they prepare to match the continuing surge in mobile data consumption, with usage continuing to grow year-on-year. This growth can be explained by richer content, real-time sharing, and an increasing number of connected devices at live events.
At festivals like Electric Picnic and Fleadh Cheoil in 2024, Vodafone customers used weather and map apps over 90,000 times. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok saw peak activity during headline performances, showcasing the growing demand for seamless, high-speed connectivity in the moments that matter.

Committed to delivering reliable service, managing substantial data volumes and maintaining consistent connectivity, Vodafone Ireland ensures a seamless experience for customers throughout the summer.

“At Vodafone Ireland, we have made significant investments in our network infrastructure to ensure customers experience fast, reliable connectivity wherever they are this summer,” said Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director at Vodafone Ireland. “Whether it’s a packed festival, a family day out, or a headline concert, our network is built to keep people connected when it matters most.”

 

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Vodafone Ireland is now using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel in its generators at events. HVO is a renewable, biodegradable fuel that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel. This ensures that powering connectivity this summer will not only be reliable, but environmentally sustainable as well.
In addition to optimising connectivity across the festival, Vodafone Ireland will support older adults through its Hi Digital initiative at Flavours of Fingal. Created by the Vodafone Foundation in partnership with ALONE, Hi Digital helps older adults build confidence with technology through a free, easy-to-follow online course. The programme covers everything from using smartphones and apps to staying safe online and avoiding scams. Festival-goers can visit the Vodafone Foundation Hi Digital stand to learn more, receive one-on-one guidance, and connect with volunteers working to bridge the digital divide.

Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cllr. Tom O’ Leary, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Vodafone Ireland as our connectivity partner and sponsor for The Walled Garden at Flavours of Fingal. Their support will not only enhance the overall visitor experience through improved connectivity and their commitment to improving digital inclusion through initiatives like Hi Digital is especially meaningful as we work together to ensure no one is left behind in our increasingly connected world.

 

”The Vodafone Walled Garden will be a popular go-to spot over the weekend, a space where visitors come to relax, enjoy live music and delicious food and drink. Designed as a chill-out zone and a connectivity hub, it being the perfect place for friends and families to unwind, connect, and recharge both digitally and socially.”

Certa launches new lower carbon biofuel for home heating

Fuel supplier Certa has become the first Irish operator to launch a new lower carbon blended biofuel for the home heating market as it continues to pursue its strategy of delivering cleaner energy solutions for domestic customers.

The company, which is part of DCC plc, has said that its new fuel could enable each of the 700,000 Irish households who currently use liquid fuel heaters to lower their home heating carbon emissions by up to 20%. Ireland’s residential sector currently accounts for 10% of national emissions.

The newly launched biofuel comprises a 20%/80% blend of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which is produced from waste plant matter, and kerosene. Householders can use this instead of home heating oil directly without any need to replace or modify their boilers.

The new lower carbon fuel will be rolled out across Certa’s national network of 23 home heating depots, starting this week with its depot in Tallaght which will supply customers in south and west Dublin and north county Kildare.

Kerosene is the most common fuel used in home heating systems in Ireland. Certa supplies almost 100,000 customers with 265 million litres of home heating fuel each year. The average household consumes between 1,000 and 2,000 litres of home heating fuel per annum.

The new product launch will be supported by a full marketing campaign across print, digital and out of home to promote and further encourage customers to switch to the new blended biofuel.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Our goal at Certa is to make it easy for customers to transition to cleaner energy solutions that reduce their carbon footprint. We are leading the way in introducing solutions that are accessible and affordable. Switching to this lower carbon HVO-Kerosene fuel is easy. There is no requirement to upgrade your home heating boiler and it can be done with zero disruption to the household”.

“We are delighted to be the first fuel supplier in Ireland to launch a new lower-carbon fuel for home heating. We will empower our customers to make positive and impactful environmental changes in their own homes and to help Ireland achieve its longer-term ambition of net zero by 2050.”

The launch follows Certa’s success in attracting diesel drivers to switch to HVO to reduce their carbon emissions by up to 90%. Last year, it became the first fuel operator to open a fully-fledged HVO fuel station in Liffey Valley and has since become the first to offer HVO at 10 of its forecourts. One in five of Certa’s network of 49 unmanned, pay@pump forecourts now offers HVO alongside other fuels.

Certa’s commitment to making new cleaner energy solutions more accessible and affordable has also led to its acquisition of leading solar and renewable energy specialists Alternative Energy Ireland. AEI offers Ireland’s only cashback guarantee if the solar system does not perform as promised, providing customers with financial compensation for the amount of the loss concerned.

Certa has also helped a growing number of businesses and events to lower their emissions and to transition to HVO as a renewable fuel, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), John Sisk & Son Ltd., Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, The National Ploughing Championships, the Irish Open and Bloom.

The company is one of the first HVO suppliers in Ireland to be awarded International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) which provides full transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This certification enables Certa to create and assign Proof of Sustainability (POS) certification to the businesses that it supplies with HVO.

Alexion and DHL sign Ireland’s first pharmaceutical sustainability partnership to decarbonise freight of medicines

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and DHL Global Forwarding Freight today announced a new partnership to commence Ireland’s first sustainable fuel deliveries using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for the pharmaceutical industry.

By converting to HVO fuel, the two companies are aiming to reduce annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) from road freight by up to 90% compared to GHG emissions associated with deliveries using diesel. The partners have identified multiple transport routes within Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Europe, which will all convert from diesel to HVO to deliver medicines manufactured in Alexion’s sites in Athlone and Blanchardstown, Dublin. HVO will be used in DHL’s vehicles on more than 500 deliveries, on an annual basis to 10 countries.

Produced from biomass such as used cooking oils and waste from food manufacture, HVO is a drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used within existing vehicles without compromising operational performance, removing the need for new infrastructure or fleet.

Reducing the GHG emissions associated with the transport of medicinal products is an important part of AstraZeneca’s wider sustainability strategy. This includes a focus on partnerships across the healthcare sector to accelerate the delivery of net-zero health systems, including supply chain decarbonisation. AstraZeneca has set a target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 98% from 2015 base year.[i] From 2030, the aim is to halve the entire value chain footprint (absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions), from a 2019 base year, on the way to becoming science-based net zero by 2045.

Sylvia Kiely Vice President – Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease said: “Today’s announcement with DHL to move from Diesel to HVO fuel is another milestone in our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain in relation to Scope 3. By working with our partners to extend eco-conscious practices to our full freight network, we can further minimise our environmental impact and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain.”

Maurice Meade, Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Freight, Ireland, said: “This is another step in the right direction as we strive to run more sustainable operations for

our customers that reduce the inherent Greenhouse emissions in transporting goods. We are delighted to see Alexion be one of the trailblazers to make this significant switch in approach and thereby follow-up on their sustainability goals with clear actions. This initiative perfectly aligns with our sustainability strategy at DHL Group, whereby our aim is to reduce all logistics-related emissions to net-zero by 2050.”

Certa first to open 10 HVO sites as demand for renewable fuel rises across Ireland

Certa, which is part of DCC plc, has become the first fuel operator in Ireland to make HVO available at ten of its forecourts as demand for the renewable fuel continues to rise among motorists nationwide.

One in five of Certa’s network of 49 unmanned, pay@pump forecourts now offers HVO alongside other fuels as Certa continues to make the biofuel more widely available to motorists seeking a renewable alternative to diesel.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is produced from waste plant matter and can be used as a direct replacement for diesel without any need for vehicle or engine modifications to help motorists lower their carbon emissions by up to 90%.

Last November, Certa began the process of upgrading its network to make HVO available alongside diesel and unleaded petrol and it has achieved the milestone of opening its 10th HVO site after introducing HVO pumps at its forecourt in Corofin in county Clare.

HVO is now available at the Certa forecourts in Liffey Valley, Dundrum, Clarehall and Finglas (Clearwater) in Dublin, Lee Tunnel in Cork, Ballyhaunis in Mayo, Maynooth in Kildare, Trim in Meath, Moyne in Longford and Corofin in Clare.

Certa has provided the new HVO pumps alongside diesel and petrol pumps and the fuel is distinguished through the use of a pink nozzle to stand out from the traditional black diesel and green petrol nozzles.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

‘Certa is leading the way in making HVO more widely available to motorists across Ireland. Our goal is to make it easy for motorists to transition to HVO as a renewable alternative to diesel to help them to lower their carbon emissions.

‘Our success in upgrading our network to offer HVO at 10 sites is an important milestone for Certa and our customers. The demand for HVO has grown as we have opened each new site, and our plan is to complete the upgrading of our entire network into next year as we continue our journey towards a net-zero future’.

Certa has also helped a growing number of businesses and events to decarbonise and to transition to HVO as a renewable fuel, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), John Sisk & Son Ltd., Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, The National Ploughing Championship, the Irish Open and Bloom.

Certa has already transitioned its entire fleet of 100 delivery vehicles from diesel to HVO in line with its commitment to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner. It is also installing Solar PV panels across its network to enable its forecourts to generate their own power from solar energy.

Certa was one of the first HVO suppliers in Ireland to be awarded International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) which provides full transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This certification enables Certa to create and assign Proof of Sustainability (POS) certification to the businesses that it supplies with HVO.

Certa’s work to make HVO more accessible and more widely available to motorists and businesses was also recognised when it received the prestigious Green Award at the 2024 UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors (UKIFDA) Awards.

Certa awarded coveted Guaranteed Irish symbol

Ireland’s largest fuel supplier Certa, which is part of DCC plc, has been awarded the coveted Guaranteed Irish symbol in recognition of its commitment to creating sustainable jobs, supporting local communities and promoting Irish provenance.

Certa has qualified to become a member of the Guaranteed Irish organisation as a homegrown Irish company that employs over 370 people in communities all over Ireland through its network of 49 pay@pump forecourts and 29 home heating depots.

The Certa brand developed through the amalgamation of the Emo Oil, Campus Oil, Jones Oil and DCC Lubricants brands who have been part of the fabric of cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland for more than 35 years.

Certa’s support for local communities goes well beyond job creation and extends to volunteering, sponsorship, donations and fundraising, all of which was examined as part of the qualifying criteria for the Guaranteed Irish symbol.

Certa is heavily involved in sports sponsorship as the title sponsor of the Ireland Women’s cricket team and is helping the sport to thrive from grassroots to elite level and to inspire young cricket players to follow their dream of playing professionally in Ireland.

It has also developed a series of community-based CSR initiatives including its Volunteering Day Programme which allows its 370 strong workforce to take a paid day out of the business each year to volunteer and give back to their local communities.

Certa has also partnered with the Open Doors Initiative to provide opportunities for some of the most marginalised members of society through the creation of pathways to work, training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.

It is continuing to invest in the service it provides to customers and is now the leading supplier of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in Ireland. The renewable biofuel helps motorists and businesses to make greener, sustainable choices that reduce their carbon emissions and lower their energy costs.

Certa opened Ireland’s first HVO biofuel station in Liffey Valley last year and is currently upgrading its network of 49 pay@pump forecourts to offer HVO at all sites alongside other fuels. Solar PV panels are also being installed to enable its forecourts to generate their own power.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Certa is very proud to be a homegrown Irish brand that operates at the heart of local communities. We are delighted to be awarded the Guaranteed Irish symbol which helps consumers and businesses to identify products and services that are an altogether better choice for the life of their community.

Certa is committed to supporting local communities across Ireland and to continually enhancing the service that we offer to domestic, commercial and industrial customers as we continue to pursue our vision of becoming Ireland’s most progressive energy company. We look forward to promoting our Guaranteed Irish credentials as we continue that journey”.

Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish said:

“We are delighted to welcome Certa as a member of Guaranteed Irish. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is a national symbol of trust that is only awarded to companies in Ireland that support sustainable jobs, contribute to our local economies, and are committed to Irish provenance. This has been at the core of Certa’s development as an Irish company over the past 35 years and we look forward to working with Certa as it continues to grow and enhance the service that it provides to communities across Ireland’.