The Freight Transport Association has confirmed that the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme is being relaunched at the CV Show as the Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS).
The new scheme continues the previous commitment of a five per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 on 2015 levels, and will shortly establish a further target for 2025. It is hoped that by providing industry with a tool to record and report its progress in reducing emissions from freight operations it will continue to demonstrate to Government that no further regulation is required.
The relaunched scheme now incorporates air quality performance as well as carbon, reflecting the priority that industry, Government and the public give this issue.
At the end of 2016, 40 per cent of members’ HGVs were already Euro VI, compared to 28 per cent across the whole industry, and they continue to lead the way in trialling alternatively-fuelled vehicles and technologies. In addition, members utilise multiple emission reducing mechanisms such as tyre management, driver training and telematics within their operations to further reduce their local and GHG emissions.
Awareness of the need to accelerate the improvement in air quality that is happening in our cities has meant that members decided it was time for the scheme to evolve, to tackle improving air quality as well as continuing to reduce carbon emissions.
“I am very excited to be involved in the relaunch of the new scheme and look forward to watching it develop. The changes to air quality policy from Government will continue to challenge us, but I am confident that our members will continue to outperform industry as a whole and lead the way into a cleaner, greener future,” says Rebecca Kite, Environment Policy Manager for FTA.
Scheme members have continued to outperform the industry average on GHGs, making significantly better progress in reducing their emissions. Between 2010 and 2015, members achieved an impressive seven per cent reduction in tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. Their average emissions are close to 13 per cent lower per vehicle km than the trend for the wider logistics industry.
By signing up to the scheme, LERS members demonstrate their dedication to reducing national carbon emissions, commit to reporting their carbon performance to the scheme and undergoing an audit on their performance.
LERS is provided for the industry by FTA free of charge and is open to all companies with at least one commercial vehicle (HGV or van). Further information can be found athttp://lers.org.uk/home/what-is-lers The scheme, which is now in its eighth year, helps members record, report and reduce emissions and now has more than 130 members with more than 88,000 vehicles.
Industry partner Bridgestone has sponsored the scheme since its launch in May 2012; the company’s continued support has enabled a series of annual low carbon awards and a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the business benefits of joining the scheme. FTA is delighted that Bridgestone has agreed to continue to support the scheme as it relaunches as the LERS.
FTA supports, shapes and stands up for efficient logistics. Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly impacting over eight million people employed in making, selling and moving the goods that affect everyone everywhere. With Brexit, technology and other disruptive forces driving changes in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK PLC.
As a champion and challenger, FTA is the only organisation representing the entire logistics industry. FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, greatly increasing the impact of its messages and achieving amazing results for members. FTA is the only organisation in the UK that represents all of logistics, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.
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