Industry must lead the climate change debate to deliver meaningful and sustainable results. That's according to the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) president Stewart Oades who was speaking on the International Transport Forum's (ITF) 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."