Green Fleet Recognition Pioneered by AEMP

December 16, 2011

Across the country, consumers are continuing to demand green products and services. Fleets and fleet managers are not exempt from this demand. Despite more than a decade of hard work and dollars invested in reducing their equipment’s impact on the environment, fleets are often still viewed by the public as leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Construction equipment fleet owners often have a difficult time demonstrating and validating their progress toward sustainability.

To bring a more accurate impression of heavy equipment fleets to the public, the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) recognizes those fleets and fleet managers who actively pursue a greener fleet through the AEMP Green Fleet Initiative.

“AEMP is answering this industry need by recognizing a range of green fleet levels and encouraging those same fleets to take their commitment a step further,” says Sara Sanderman, Director of Program Development for AEMP.

“Our goal is to be the LEED program of the equipment side of construction. We would like to see guidelines to make the program full circle — from building practices to building materials to equipment used to make that building.”

The program consists of a range of Green Fleet levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. These levels can serve as stepping stones for fleets that wish to continue improving fleet emissions.

The requirements to qualify for each AEMP Green Fleet certification level progressively increase every few years, keeping fleets engaged in updates.

For more information on AEMP’s Green Fleet Initiative, visit www.aemp.org.

AEMP Green Fleet initiative

In early 2010 the Emissions Committee of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) surveyed association members and measured an overwhelming percentage ready and willing to participate in a “green recognition” program. Feedback indicated that fleets are all too often not recognized for the progress they’ve made over the decade and are in need of a way to demonstrate to their clients that they have taken steps to reduce emissions.

The AEMP committee formed a development team for the AEMP Green Fleet Initiative comprised of industry professionals from equipment manufacturers, dealers and end users across the nation. The committee carefully created the AEMP Green Fleet Initiative as a tool to measure the “greening” of fleets across the nation.

AEMP Green Fleet Program

The Goals

The goals of AEMP Green Fleet are:
• To recognize steps already taken to reduce emissions
• To offer incentives to companies willing to continue reducing emissions
• To create a challenging — yet achievable — goal for equipment owners to attain using parts of California Air Resources Board (CARB) guidelines

The Criteria

The AEMP Emissions Committee will recognize four levels of Green Fleet achievement using these requirements:
• 2011 Bronze Status: 50% of fleet Tier 2 or written idle policy
• 2011 Silver Status: 50% of fleet Tier 2 and written idle policy
• 2011 Gold Status: 50% of fleet Tier 3 and written idle policy
• 2011 Platinum Status: 50% of fleet Tier 3, written idle policy and 10% of fleet equipped with DPF, DOC or either interim or final Tier 4 technologies

The Process

Fleet owners interested in participating can complete the application form, provide the required information and submit it to AEMP. Once the application is reviewed and the Green Fleet attainment level is determined, the applying fleet will be given a plaque distinguishing such recognition. Green Fleets will be recognized on the AEMP website and in AEMP’s Equipment Manager magazine. AEMP will also offer decals for individual pieces of equipment.

The Benefits

The AEMP Green Fleet initiative will bring the following benefits:
• Improved fleet and industry perception among the public
• Green Fleet recognition will enhance fleets’ regional reputation, brand recognition and standing as a leader within communities where their equipment works
• Voluntary Green Fleet investment allows fleets to take advantage of federal funds to relieve costs associated with reducing emissions
• By aiming for higher green levels, the AEMP Green Fleet initiative can give a company a solid goal to attain
• A potential boost in employee health, morale and productivity (Decreased emissions have been shown to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity)