Despite all the green hype, many major logistics companies have yet to commit to measuring carbon emissions, the first step towards meeting net-zero targets.
Bath, UK, May 26, 2021: A survey undertaken for the Foundation for Future Supply Chain has found that a large proportion of the world’s leading logistics companies have yet to start measuring and publishing their carbon emissions, let alone set any targets for becoming carbon neutral. This comes at a time when the industry’s commitment to net-zero emissions is under scrutiny by governments as never before.
The survey, undertaken in collaboration with the Foundation’s research partner, Ti Insight, found that of 184 of the world’s largest transport and logistics companies, only 105 measured and published carbon emissions data, just 57% of the total.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, the Foundation’s Head of Thematic Research, John Manners-Bell, said, ‘Until companies start measuring emissions, it is impossible to initiate greenhouse gas reduction programmes. Given that the logistics industry’s success in reducing emissions will be critical to meeting governmental net-zero targets, that such a large proportion of industry leaders have yet to start measuring their emissions is of major concern.’
The sample provided a cross-section of the industry worldwide, comprising the largest companies in each of the following industry sectors: Trucking/Road Freight, International Freight Forwarding; Contract Logistics; Express & Parcel; Postal Operators and Shipping.
The majority of the companies in the sample had revenues of over $1 billion and so the low proportion publishing carbon emissions data cannot be put down to cost or lack of resources, as might be assumed for small and medium-sized operators. Instead, it is likely due to the low priority given to the issue by management; the lack of pressure from customers and weak or absent regulation by governments.
The survey did contain some better news. Although there is a way to go, the number of industry leading companies measuring emissions data has risen significantly since 2016 as the concept of disclosure is increasingly embraced. In 2016 just under a quarter of logistics companies were publishing carbon emissions data (23%), increasing by 34pp to its present level (57%).
More information
The survey is contained within the Foundation for Future Supply Chain’s latest thought paper, ‘The Challenge of Measuring and Meeting Carbon Emission Targets’ available for download here.
John Manners-Bell, Founder and Head of Thematic Research at the Foundation for Future Supply Chain, has written a blog expanding on some of the findings of the survey which can be downloaded here.
About the Foundation for Future Supply Chain: The Foundation for Future Supply Chain has been established to improve the understanding of some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry as well as their wider implications for societies, the environment and economic development.
The Foundation for Future Supply Chain has been established as a ‘not for profit’ organization, providing politicians, government agencies, inter-governmental organizations and business leaders with an independent source of thought leadership, addressing and advising on many critical policy issues.
For more information about the Foundation, its aims, ambitions and how to join, follow the link to www.futuresupplychains.org.
LinkedIn: foundation-for-future-supply-chain
About Transport Intelligence (Ti): Ti is the research partner for the Foundation for Future Supply Chain and the world’s leading source of market intelligence for the logistics and road freight industry, providing data and analysis through its European Road Freight Transport report series, Global Supply Chain intelligence (GSCi) database and expert consultancy services. https://www.ti-insight.com
Web: ti-insight.com
Twitter: @Ti_insight
Linkedin: Transport Intelligence
Instagram: @logistics_briefing
