7 Ways Business Can Reduce Greenhouse Gases

COP26 has just ended. Whatever agreements were made, stopping global climate change will depend on individuals and businesses as much as international treaties.

Domestic transportation in the UK produces more greenhouse gasses (GHG) than any other sector - 27% of total output*. Cars, which account for almost 80% of road vehicle miles, produce over 55% of the GHG. HGVs only account for 5% of road vehicle miles. But, they account for 16% of GHG. HGVs produce proportionally more GHG because they are much bigger and less fuel efficient. Fuel efficiency is getting better, but HGVs are getting bigger. Vans account for another 16% of road vehicle miles and another 16% of GHG emissions. None of those figures include the GHG produced getting things to the UK.

Every business sends and receives goods. Most goods will be transported in a van or HGV. Reducing the amount of GHG produced through business related transportation can only be good. Here are a few things all businesses could do to help reduce GHG levels:

1.    Source materials and products as close to home as possible.
2.    Increase sourcing of geographically and seasonally appropriate products.
3.    Ensure stock management systems and storage facilities are as efficient as possible.
4.    Deliver at night. Less traffic means fewer delays and better fuel economy. Though

       Quiet Delivery guidance and council restrictions will need to be more flexible.  
5.    Maximise vehicle capacity by sharing with other companies (and even competitors)        and back load vehicles, so they are as full as possible on every journey.
6.    Accept that we might need longer lead times and plan accordingly.
7.    Manage customer expectations so they know deliveries might take longer, minimum       order quantities might increase, and some things might not be available.

Our economy depends on healthy trade. Our lives depend on a healthy planet. Reducing the amount of GHG from business related transportation can help us have both.  

* Transportation & Environment Statistics 2021 Annual report, Department for Transport.

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