Logistics & Transport Industry Environmental Survey sponsored by Kewill

Interest in environment increasing

Are ‘green’ words backed by ‘green deeds’?
In June 2008 Transport Intelligence undertook a major survey examining how companies were reacting to environmental concerns. The survey was designed to probe beyond the public relations spin in order to identify what logisticians really felt about the new set of pressures they face. The survey attracted high levels of interest, with 450 respondents from around the world, representing the full spectrum of the logistics sector as well as manufacturers/retailers. 

Unsurprisingly the vast majority of respondents stated that the environment was either ‘important’ (52%) or ‘highly important’ (35%) to their companies’ strategy. When asked what steps they had taken to offset the impact of their business on the environment, there were a wide range of responses. The initiatives can broadly be divided into the categories ‘operational’ and ‘strategic’. As far as operations are concerned, many companies pointed to their replacement of ageing fleets with newer, more fuel efficient vehicles. Others had gone even further by introducing either hybrid, electric or gas powered trucks. In addition driver training was cited as being very important, especially as regards to vehicle idling policies – both for vehicles and airplanes. Warehousing was also mentioned as an area in which companies’ environmental impact could be reduced. As well as choosing specially designed ‘green’ warehouses, many respondents said that much could be done to reduce impact within older facilities. This included recycling of packaging waste, reducing air conditioning use, switching off lights and better utilisation of packaging and paper. 

Many respondents stated that their companies had also taken a ‘strategic’ approach to reducing carbon emissions. This included reviewing their use of certain transport modes with the goal of switching to those with lower carbon footprints e.g. rail, short sea shipping or intermodal barges. Others pointed to the creation of ‘intelligent transportation networks’ with shipment consolidation and route optimisation. Many respondents stated that their companies had adopted the international environmental standard ISO 14000 which ensures that policies and management systems have been implemented and maintained. 

Companies’ keenness to adopt environmental policies (in much the same way in the 1990s they adopted ISO9001) is illustrated by the responses for the next question – ‘Does your company have a formal environmental policy as part of a Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy?’ Just under two thirds – 64% – said that they did. This certainly suggests that companies are eager to be seen in a positive light by both their employees and the outside world.

For more details and the rest of the survey please contact Transport Intelligence Ltd.

Quelle: Transport Intelligence Ltd