According to the Department for the Environment, the UK’s van fleet emits around 17 million tonnes of CO2 a year [1] and over the last decade, the UK’s van population has increased by 38% to 3.24 million vehicles with 8 times the number of registered HGVs [2]. This is a considerable chunk of the UK’s 121.8 million tonnes of freight transport-related CO2 emissions, so even small improvements can have a major impact on the UK’s total CO2 footprint. As more than half of the UK’s vans are owned by private individuals and sole traders, it is often hard to communicate energy efficiency issues to busy drivers. Therefore a new campaign by The Green Transport Network has been set up to help white van men switch to greener transport methods [3].
Why is this a problem?
One in every three van miles is currently being used for the collection and delivery of goods, which means they can make a fairly significant contribution to the UK’s economic activity. However, around 10-15% of the time, vans are driving empty which results in half a million tonnes of carbon emissions [1]. Not only does this have an impact on the environment, but it can also impact your business:
Greenhouse gases and carbon pollution is all related to fuel – the basis of your business.
- No matter how big or small your business is, you’ll be aware of the constantly rising price of fuel and the impact that it is having your profits.
- By measuring your greenhouse gas emissions, you’ll begin to focus on ways that can reduce your fuel consumption and improve your fuel management. Thereby having a positive impact on the environment and your wallet [2].
Your customers care about how green you are.
- A recent uShip survey found that over 80% of customers were trying to be greener in their purchasing decisions and 87% would choose the greenest supplier if there was no difference in the products or costs [2].
- Corporate customers are required to do their own greenhouse gas reporting, therefore your emissions directly affect their results. Although not mandatory now, it is anticipated that there will be corporate responsibility requirements to report greenhouse gas emissions in the near future. Therefore, the lower your greenhouse gas emissions, the more business you will get.
It’s reasonably simple – small businesses have enough legislation and reporting to deal with already.
- Calculating your greenhouse gas emissions can be very quick and simple.
- The Green Transport Network project aims to lead you quickly to a solution that works best for you and the environment.
What can you do?
Firstly, begin by calculating your CO2 emissions using the calculator on the Green Transport Network website www.greentransport.co.uk/your-businesses-co2-emissions or similar. Now you know how much you’re emitting, consider using any or all of these methods to decrease your levels:
- You could try carbon offsetting 5-10% of your CO2 emissions. This costs around £45 and would have an immediate impact on your carbon footprint. The Green Transport Network offers a pay as you go offset scheme where you can choose to offset as much or little as you wish. Payments are simple and you can purchase online with a credit card, and you receive a certificate to display [4].
- Smarter Driving is one of the best ways to demonstrate how reducing CO2 emissions can directly result in savings for your business. The smarter driving technique teaches small behaviours and habits that result in lower fuel consumption. Around 15% of future fuel costs can be saved and according to the Energy Saving Trust, fuel bills can be cut by an average £200-£300 per vehicle per year [1].
- The Energy Saving Trust offers a range of transport advice services that could save your business up to £1000 per vehicle [5].
- Furthermore you could try to reduce empty running to help decrease the half a million tonnes of CO2 wasted. You could also consider investing in newer low carbon vehicles that utilise cleaner fuels [1].
Although improving your greenhouse gas emissions may be costly in the short-term, an initial investment will see long-term returns financially as well as environmentally.
[2] http://www.greentransport.co.uk/why-bother/
[3] http://www.greentransport.co.uk/
[4] http://www.greentransport.co.uk/easy-co2-solutions/
[5] http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Transport-advice
