Reducing Electricity Consumption

As we navigate a critical year for green energy and sustainability, The Ark Media is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. We have already implemented significant changes, such as transitioning to paper-free offices and recycling all possible waste. Now, we are exploring innovative methods to achieve carbon-neutral campaigns. Here are some initiatives we have undertaken at the end of 2023, with plans to expand in 2024.

Collaboration with Clear Channel UK

We are excited to collaborate with industry leaders like Clear Channel UK.

Will Ramage, Clear Channel UK's Managing Director, shared his insights on sustainable advertising infrastructure:

"The installation of a Living Roof on top of a taxi shelter is a fantastic example of the numerous possibilities these structures can provide. We enjoy seeing how local authorities utilise Living Roofs to showcase how we can creatively make space for wildlife, even in our most urban areas."

Promoting Biodiversity with Living Roofs and Vertical Meadows

Clear Channel manages 90% of bus stops outside London and has been at the forefront of energy-efficient infrastructure. They have set ambitious targets to enhance energy efficiency, such as:

• Replacing fluorescent lighting with bespoke LED alternatives
  
  
• Reducing digital advertising display hours
  
  
• Introducing solar lighting on bus shelters
  
  
• Installing 50% more energy-efficient digital displays

A Case Study: Bristol City Centre

One notable project is in Bristol city centre, where a new bus shelter on Redcliffe Way features a Living Roof—a green roof covered with oxygen-boosting plants. This pilot project aims to determine if bee-friendly bus stops are suitable for the city.

The purpose-designed roof includes a mix of native wildflowers and sedum plants, supporting biodiversity by absorbing rainwater, capturing particulates from the air, and providing habitats for bees and other pollinators.

Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport, expressed his enthusiasm:

"I am excited to welcome Bristol's first Living Roof bus shelter. We are investigating how we can make public transport more sustainable. Replacing bus shelters that have come to the end of their usable lives with the Living Roof system could help us bring down air pollution at the roadside and boost our bee population."

This trial, conducted at no charge to the council, will help determine if Living Roofs suit the city. The replacement bus shelter includes a real-time information display and a raised curb for improved passenger accessibility. The bus stop cage will be extended in January to ensure full bus accessibility.

Installing LED Tubes

Clear Channel was the first out-of-home media owner to upgrade to LED tubes in Classic advertising panels nationwide at scale. This initiative has significantly reduced energy consumption and is a cornerstone of their sustainability efforts.

Additional Benefits of Living Roofs

Living roofs, or green roofs, provide numerous environmental and social benefits:

1. Urban Heat Island Effect Reduction: Green roofs can significantly reduce urban temperatures by absorbing less heat than traditional roofs. For example, Chicago's City Hall's green roof is much cooler than that of nearby buildings with conventional roofs.
   
   
2. Stormwater Management: These roofs help reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing and gradually releasing rainwater. They can retain up to 75% of rainwater, reducing pressure on city sewage systems.
   
   
3. Biodiversity Support: Depending on the plants used, green roofs can support a range of wildlife, including pollinators like bees and birds. They create habitats in urban areas, contributing to ecological diversity.
   
   
4. Building Longevity: Properly installed green roofs protect buildings from environmental damage, potentially increasing their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
   
   
5. Social Well-Being: Nature is a powerful thing; numerous research articles have shown that spending time in nature alleviates some symptoms of anxiety and depression.
   
   
6. Carbon Sequestration: In less fancy words, living roofs can help remove and capture carbon, reduce overall CO2 levels, and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Conclusion

At The Ark Media, we take our responsibility to local communities seriously. By supporting projects like the Living Roof bus shelters, we aim to make a tangible, positive impact on many people's lives in cities like Bristol—such as our base of operation in Leeds. We look forward to expanding these initiatives in 2024 and beyond, continuing our journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.

For more information on Clear Channel's Living Roofs, visit the Clear Channel Living Roofs website.

Thank you for joining us on this journey toward sustainability.