Fuel management business Triscan Systems has keenly welcomed the latest government backing for the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS), stating that its products assist with the ease of participation in exactly this kind of strategic initiative.
What Is LCRS?
The Freight Transport Association is fronting the industry led approach to reducing carbon
emissions from road freight by recording and reporting reductions in CO2 emissions. In response to the recent ministerial announcement, Triscan’s Simon Hollingsworth commented “With our long established relationship with key freight transport providers, we are continually developing products to make it easier for organisations to participate in schemes such as this and provide the crucial and accurate data needed”.
How does it work?
The scheme works by measuring fuel usage in businesses signed up to the LCRS. Participants are asked to provide readily available information on fleet numbers, fuel use and business activity data. Triscan software where it is deployed already gathers most of this information which tracks the improvements in carbon emissions and fuel efficiency over time. It is an easy task to then export the data and convert into carbon dioxide emissions using Government-approved conversion factors.
The government’s view
Transport Minister Mike Penning who has given his formal support to the Logistics Carbon
Reduction Scheme (LCRS) said: “I welcome the Freight Transport Association’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme. The fact that it already covers nearly 40,000 vehicles – and will expand to cover more – will help to provide a detailed picture of the quantity and trend of carbon emissions by the freight industry and show that it is capable of working together, voluntarily, to tackle its harmful emissions. The scheme is the first of its kind for the freight sector, and should deliver real progress toward the UK’s carbon reduction targets”.
How will progress be monitored?
In 2012, the Department for Transport will undertake a review of the progress the sector has made in reducing emissions; LCRS will be taken into account in that review and in decisions as to whether Government action is necessary to reduce freight’s carbon emissions.
Why is it important?
The aim is to gain voluntary contributions to annual LCRS reports which show industry’s efforts to reduce emissions to Government and key stakeholders. Without industry action to record and report progress in cutting carbon emissions, FTA is concerned that Government may regulate to reduce carbon emissions from freight. The scheme currently has over forty members and includes well known brands John Lewis Partnership, TDG and Warburtons; all of whom are using Triscan systems to monitor fuel and CO2.