FTA

FTA launched its Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) in January 2010 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. Catherine Crouch, Director of Tenens Environmental, represents Howard Tenens in this scheme with a view to sharing best practice within the industry.

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.

The Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme is relevant, as it will allow industry to measure its own carbon footprint and form a foundation on which all future environmental policies are based.

The requirement 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.

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.