PLANET Mark's battle bus visited Southampton as part of a nationwide tour being staged ahead of the COP26 climate change summit event in Glasgow.

People attending carbon reduction workshops inspected the electric vehicle when it arrived at the MAST Mayflower Studios, where the eco-friendly sessions were held.

Representatives from more than 30 businesses and organisations took part in the workshops.

They were briefed on ways in which companies can set and achieve their own carbon reduction targets in line with the UN’s Race to Zero initiative.

Speakers shared their carbon reduction stories and discussed the challenges they have overcome on their journey to becoming net zero businesses.

The battle bus, said to be the first all-electric coach in the UK, is due to visit 30 towns and cities across the UK before heading to the COP26 event in Glasgow in November.

Planet Mark is a leading sustainability and net zero certification group that forms part of Race to Zero.

It is hoping to engage with more than 10,000 businesses during the tour, which aims to help firms protect the environment by "demystifying" what is needed to achieve net zero.

Steve Malkin is founder and chief executive Planet Mark.

He said: “It was great to see such a good turnout in Southampton with so many local organisations eager to engage with us and learn how they can cut their carbon emissions.

"The aim of our Zero Carbon Tour is to provide the impetus for businesses to set zero carbon targets and implement achievable steps to deliver continuous carbon reductions over the coming years.

"We hope businesses, from blue chip corporates to local retailers, will be able to play their part in taking meaningful action at this crucial time."

Mike Jackson is director of supply chain management and head of charity at Roadchef.

He said: "We’re thrilled to be supporting Planet Mark’s Zero Carbon Tour. As a sustainable business we’re committed to reducing our carbon emissions to protect the environment and provide a brighter future for us and the planet.

"From EV charging to recycling initiatives, we’re continually pioneering new and innovative ways to support this drive towards a net-zero future.”