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Green Transport Network Campaign Launched to Help UK’s 3 Million Delivery Drivers Cut CO2 Emissions – Recognise Magazine (UK)

14% of UK’s freight transport CO2 emissions comes from UK Delivery Vans

 

Global online transport marketplace uShip is today further enhancing its green credentials by launching the “Green Transport Network,” a campaign to help van drivers go ‘green’ through reduced emissions, affordable CO2 offsetting and cost-saving sustainable business practices.

 

The Green Transport Network (http://greentransport.co.uk) provides an easy and verifiable way for sole trader transport companies to easily calculate their carbon footprint (based on Defra’s latest multi-delivery carbon methodology), offset their mileage through JP Morgan Climate Care and discover other ways to reduce costs.  Couriers and drivers can also sign up to become carbon-balanced green transporters on uShip.

 

Currently, there’s a lack of clear information on fuel-efficient driving techniques and inconsistent and unclear methodologies for calculating CO2.  This has made it challenging for delivery drivers to understand their individual carbon emissions impact and then take action.  The Green Transport Network, with support from The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership(LowCVP) and the Prince of Wales’ Mayday Network, is believed to be the first site of its kind dedicated to providing this typically under-represented audience the ability to take immediate eco-action.

 

Over the last decade, the UK’s van population has boomed by 38% to 3.24 million vehicles – and is 8 times the number of registered HGVs.  Defra estimates that vans represent 14%, or about 17 million tonnes, of the UK’s 121.8 million tonnes of freight transport CO2 emissions. And that 10-15% of the time, vans drive empty, resulting in half a million tonnes of wasted carbon emissions.

 

David Sergeant of Preston-based DPS Transport is a uShip Power Provider (uShip ID: Goldwing1969): “One of the biggest reasons I reduce my carbon emissions is to help me save on my fuel costs.  I use biodiesel for my vans, and this cuts my CO2 by 50%.  It’s also a lot cheaper at around £1 per litre, and this helps me be greener in other parts of my business, like offering my customers biodegradable bubble wrap.  It’s more expensive than the normal wrap, but many of my customers tell me how it’s something that they appreciate. uShip also helps me run more efficiently because it helps me find extra loads along my route so that I keep my van full.  I see customers trying to be more eco friendly, and showing that my business is taking steps to reduce my environmental impact helps me win more customers and earn repeat business.”

 

“With 1 of every 3 van miles being used for the collection and delivery of goods, vans make a significant contribution to the UK’s economic activity.  Reducing empty running, along with the use of low carbon vehicles and fuels will help reduce unnecessary CO2 emissions. An initiative such as the Green Transport Network provides a vital tool and information source that helps van drivers reduce their impact and become more aware of how to participate in the solution,” said Greg Archer, Managing Director of The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership.

 

Read the article on RecogniseMagazine.com.