The Department for Transport guidance on calculating and reporting truck greenhouse gas emissions has been welcomed by the Freight Transport Association.
The advice, specifically for the logistics industry, is contained in a report called 'Guidance on measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport operations' – and it includes useful examples.
The DfT believes that the guidance should fit into existing measurement and reporting activities undertaken by operators, because it is based on the established international approach created by the Greenhouse Protocol.
Also, information is aligned to the FTA's existing LCRS (logistics carbon reduction scheme), developed to help governments meet CO2 reduction targets by 2020.
"More and more hauliers are being asked by their customers for greenhouse gas data linked to the freight movements they are undertaking," observes Simon Chapman, chief economist at the FTA. "This new guidance will help ensure that carriers can provide data using a consistent approach."
"In addition, when they are moving freight for several customers on the same journey, the emissions from that journey can now be allocated, using an approach that is recognised across the industry," he continues.
"Crucially the guidance is not prescriptive… If data is not available, then it recognises that proxy measures for emissions can be used," adds Chapman.
