Supermarket signs up to carbon-cutting project

Date: 13/10/2011

More than 50,000 vehicles are now represented by the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme.

Supermarket chain Asda is the latest brand to come onboard the sector-led project, pledging to reduce the carbon emissions produced by its lorries and vans.

Under the initiative, participating members will voluntarily record their fuel consumption, along with the activity information of their fleets, in order to provide an accurate reflection of the carbon footprint the freight industry is responsible for.

According to the FTA, this is something that has not been done before.

Chris Hall, National Transport Manager for Asda, said the opportunity the scheme presented for the supermarket firm to establish its agenda in relation to its fleets and fuel consumption was "vitally important."

Meanwhile, Chief Economist for the FTA Simon Chapman noted: "With fuel now accounting for around 40 per cent of the costs of running a truck, greater fuel efficiency that results in cutting carbon dioxide emissions is a prize every operator should be aiming for."

The FTA's Logistics Carbon Reduction Conference in London took place in June, where attendees were told of the importance driver training will play in reducing harmful emissions.

Posted by Nick Anderson