The Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS) – spearheaded by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and sponsored by Bridgestone – has announced its support of the Government’s ambition to achieve a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from HGVs by 2025.
Announced on the 9 July 2018, the voluntary target for logistics operators is included in the Government’s new Road to Zero strategy. LERS will provide support to industry members – most notably HGV operators – to adopt this target and will assist them in developing strategies to achieve lower carbon emissions. The target is now included within LERS, in addition to the scheme’s existing aim for its members to achieve a 5 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
Rebecca Kite, Environment Policy Manager, FTA and the manager of LERS, said: “We’re pleased to be able to align with the Government’s ambition to reduce carbon emissions derived from HGVs. While it’s a challenging target, our members are dedicated to protecting the environment and will continue to lead the way in emission reduction. This year has been an exciting time for LERS – particularly with our relaunch – and we are thrilled to once again be at the forefront of environmental innovation.”
LERS aggregates fuel usage and business activity data from its members to establish a carbon footprint for the scheme. It has been successfully demonstrating the industry’s ability to improve emissions independently without further government regulation for the past eight years. Between 2010 and 2015, the scheme achieved an impressive 7 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from road transport. Scheme members’ emissions (and fuel costs) are 13 per cent lower per vehicle km than the average for the whole logistics industry.
By signing up to the scheme, members are demonstrating their dedication to reducing national carbon emissions. LERS is supported by industry partner Bridgestone Tyres and provided free for the logistics industry by the Freight Transport Association. Membership is open to all companies with at least one commercial vehicle (HGV or van). To find out more visit http://lers.org.uk
Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.
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