Carbon tops FTA’s agenda at International Transport Forum
Wednesday 26 May 2010
Industry must lead the climate change debate to deliver meaningful and sustainable results. That’s according to the Freight Transport Association’s president Stewart Oades who was speaking on the International Transport Forum’s Expert Panel in Leipzig today.
FTA launched its Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) in January this year in a bid to benchmark the sector’s collective carbon footprint. The LCRS is an innovative industry-led initiative in response to the climate change agenda.
Oades, who was representing FTA and the Global Shippers' Forum, said:
“To meet our carbon commitment, industry cannot afford to sit passively by, simply reacting to environmental policy. Logistics is an innovative sector, but it needs to be leading the climate change debate.
“This is why the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme is so exciting, as it will allow industry to measure its own carbon footprint and, from there, become the foundation on which all future environmental policies are based.”
Freight and logistics movements are responsible for around 30 per cent of transport emissions in the UK. The LCRS provides the framework for the logistics sector to contribute to the UK target to reduce CO2 by 80 per cent by 2050, on 1990 levels.
Oades concluded:
“The need for industry collaboration is matched by the need for policy makers to shift their focus from punitive taxes and onto rewarding innovation and investment in greener technology and working practices.
“The LCRS will paint an accurate picture of where the logistics sector is in terms of its carbon output, thereby helping policy makers to make the best decisions in the interests of the environment and business.”
Notes for editors
The ITF is attended by over 55 transport ministers from around the globe, as well key industry stakeholders and leading global logistics companies.
The LCRS is open to all operators of commercial vehicles. FTA will report its first data collection cycle in January 2011, and every twelve months thereafter. It has already been backed by some of FTA’s leading members, representative of around 30,000 commercial goods vehicles. The intention is to eventually widen the scheme to include other transport modes. To find out more about the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme, contact rdillon@fta.co.uk
The Global Shippers' Forum is the world's leading organisation representing shippers. Its members include: the European Shippers' Council; the Canadian Industrial Transportation Association; The US National Industrial Transportation League, and; the Asian Shippers' Council, with affiliate members in Africa, Oceania and South America. For more details about the GSF contact Chris Welsh cwelsh@fta.co.uk
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