Where would we be without the transport industry? It plays a crucial role in the country's economy, but also contributes significantly to its overall carbon emissions. According to the Department for Transport, road freight is responsible for around 20% of the UK's total emissions, and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are a major contributor to this figure. While the industry has made some progress in reducing emissions in recent years, there is still much work to be done to meet the UK's carbon reduction targets.
Reducing carbon emissions is not just about doing the right thing for the environment though, it can also bring financial benefits to most businesses. By implementing emission-reducing measures, such as investing in fuel-efficient vehicles and implementing more efficient driving practices, companies can lower their fuel costs and improve their bottom line. There are a number of incentives and regulatory measures in place in the UK to support the transition to a more sustainable transportation system.
£7 million tech fund to decarbonise freight and boost innovation This fund provides funding for the development and deployment of low-emission vehicles in the UK, helping to accelerate the adoption of cleaner transportation technologies.
The Energy Savings Trust The Energy Savings Trust offers grants and loans to help businesses invest in energy-efficient technologies, including those related to transportation.
The government's Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) This voluntary scheme rewards companies that demonstrate a commitment to reducing emissions and improving safety within their fleet operations.
The Climate Change Act This legislation sets legally binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, including those from the transportation industry.
The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme The Low Emissions Zone scheme aims to reduce air pollution by requiring vehicles to meet certain emissions standards in order to enter designated low-emission zones within certain cities.
The Electric Vehicle (EV) grant This grant provides financial support to those individuals and businesses that purchase or lease electric vehicles, helping to encourage the adoption of EVs in the UK.
The Workplace Charging Scheme This scheme provides grants to businesses, public sector organisations, and charities to install electric vehicle charging points at their workplaces, helping to support the adoption of EVs in the transportation sector.
Another way to reduce emissions (and take advantage of these incentives) is by conducting regular emissions testing on current vehicles to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency and identifying any issues early on that may be contributing to higher emissions. Utilising telematics and route planning software can also help companies optimise routes and reduce unnecessary idling and fuel consumption. Implementing carpooling and telecommuting programmes can be used to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, ultimately reducing the country's overall emissions.
For those serious about lowering their carbon footprint, a good place to start is by conducting a baseline carbon audit. A carbon audit is a comprehensive analysis of an organisation's carbon footprint, including all direct and indirect emissions from activities such as fuel consumption and electricity use. By conducting an audit, we can gain a better understanding of a business’s emissions and identify opportunities for reduction.
There are several benefits too, particularly for those in the transport industry. An audit can help identify the main sources of emissions within the organisation, allowing for targeted efforts to reduce them. For example, an audit may reveal that a significant proportion of emissions is coming from a particular fleet of vehicles or a specific driving route. This information can help the company make informed decisions about how to allocate resources to take steps to reduce those emissions. It can also help transport companies identify potential cost savings from reducing emissions, such as lower fuel costs and increased efficiency, and identify opportunities to take advantage of government incentives and regulatory measures, such as those mentioned above.
Overall, the UK transport industry has the potential to significantly reduce its carbon emissions and make use of opportunities for government incentives and funding, as well as demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility to customers, investors, and other stakeholders. It starts with a carbon audit!
The journey to carbon neutrality starts with Measuring your carbon footprint and that's where our Carbon Audit can help. Let us do the hard work and categorise your emissions for you! Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation call, today.
Drop us an email hello@carbonnow.co.uk