Low Carbon Award

Through creation of strategic roadmaps alongside its partners and data capture into its emissions reporting suite, Arla is aiming to make its carbon footprint transparent and plans to achieve its targets clear. In the logistics part of the business, carbon emissions have already seen a 25% reduction between 2015-2021 (37,000T CO2e). Arla continues to deliver tangible emissions reductions through innovative customer collaboration, route optimisation and transitioning towards alternative fuels; all of which has resulted in a further 7,636T CO2e reduction in 2022. Furthermore, early 2030 forecasts show the business is set to exceed its 39% reduction target.

Judges said: “SBTI target-setting with strong supply chain engagement and a wide variety of initiatives, producing significant savings; the green electricity implementation demonstrates that all areas of the business are being reviewed.”

A signatory to UN Global Compact, EV Cargo has made significant progress in sustainability, particularly around decarbonisation, focusing on becoming carbon neutral by 2030. It has set ESG targets, measured its baseline emissions for the first time and produced its inaugural Sustainability Report. It delivered significant emissions reductions utilising alternative fuels, technology and by concentrating on fewer and friendlier miles. It used HVO fuel to save 4,448 tCO2e by switching 5.4 million delivery km from diesel and avoided Scope 3 emissions, saving 153,381 tCO2e during 2021.

Judges said: “SBTI target-setting with clear ambitions for 2030 and beyond; several initiatives implemented with a focus on accurate statistics and a clear roadmap.”

While others were parking up their LNG gas trucks in 2022 because of the fuel crisis, Nicholls (EH Nicholls Jnr) continued to run its fleet of LNG trucks because they believed it was the right thing to do for the planet. In 2022, Nicholls Transport achieved a 191% saving on GHG Emissions compared to fossil fuel (pump diesel) from July to December, which equates to saving circa 1,928 tonnes of CO2 for this six-month period. The company also runs a number of other carbon-saving initiatives such as the use of electric forklifts and electric vans, rainwater harvesting and enough photovoltaic cells to run 80% of its 14-acre site.

Judges said: “Sizeable number of LNG vehicles, a fuelling station, utilisation of solar energy and an ESG policy are commendable for a family business of this size, and an ‘in house’ ATF will both help the environment and operational performance.”

O’Donovan Waste Disposal places greener initiatives and environmental performance at the forefront of the business. The firm has implemented several initiatives, in a top-down approach, to reduce the carbon emissions of its fleet, reduce air pollution and introduce more efficient driving. The company leads from the front, demonstrated through its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, through its eco fleet procurement policies, training, vehicle enhancements and promoting a greener culture to improve O’Donovan’s credentials across the operation and set the benchmark for the industry.

Judges said: “Clear and ambitious net zero by 2035 target; full fleet of 100 x vehicles using HVO, and several initiatives including solar energy, rainwater harvesting, driver performance and telematics.”

Speedy has committed to science-based targets to meet net-zero emissions. It aims to help contractors reduce their own supply chain emissions through zerocarbon equipment delivery and running its own heavy fleet on HVO while delivering HVO to customers. The business operates a 27-tonne electric truck, two 7.5-tonne HGVs and more than 150 electric vans nationally. It will boost this with a recent order for 150 more electric vans, which will be distributed nationally to replace ICE models within the fleet. Speedy’s strategy is to replace over 60% of all its commercials with fully EV by 2030, with the remainder running on HVO. It has also explored the use of sustainable river freight in London, which it aims to expand.

Judges said: “Strong measurement and reporting with science-based targets; significant investment in BEVs made and grey fleet savings achieved. Successful trial of waterborne freight with plans to expand.”

A total of 20,731 tonnes of CO2e were saved by XPO Logistics across its UK business in 2022 alone, with its long-term partner British Gypsum providing a considerable proportion of this reduction. In 2022, XPO deployed a significant volume of new vehicles fuelled by LNG, amounting to 10% of the British Gypsum fleet, and has now switched more than 100 vehicles to HVO via the installation of two fuel bunkers in Nottinghamshire and East Sussex. Over 1.2 million litres of HVO have been used in place of diesel since October 2022 alone, with the whole British Gypsum fleet operating via sustainable fuels by year-end. XPO is also partnering with British Gypsum to do further fully electric HGV trials this year.

Judges said: “Impressive fleet of LNG and HVO fuelled vehicles with fuel bunkers; trialling of EVs is positive and driver training programmes complement the low-carbon initiatives.”