A survey by the British International Freight Association (BIFA) confirms that freight forwarders are coming under increasing pressure from customers to show evidence of decarbonisation, while those same customers need to get ready for carbon emission audits now.

The BIFA survey found that legislation compelling change in logistics decarbonisation will be a primary driver for respondents, with nearly a third citing client pressure as the leading motivator.

Results show 69% of respondents consider calculating emissions is part of their daily activities, yet 22% had assigned budgets of under £1,000 for green initiatives within their organisation. 

The conclusion is that there is growing awareness of environmental issues among the BIFA membership and, to some extent, a growing awareness of the need to measure carbon emissions and provide that information to clients.

It is also clear that it will be challenging to determine how they will use this data, and what they can actually do to reduce their carbon emissions. The general consensus is that significant changes will be required by forwarders, but what these will be are not clear at the moment.

The BIFA survey highlights just how far ahead Metro’s environmental strategy and actions are!

In consultation with customers Metro began development of our MVT ECO module in 2021. 

Today Metro is measuring and monitoring the emissions of every shipment, by every mode, for all of our customers, with offsetting alternatives, so they can work towards carbon neutrality in their global supply chain. 

As of 1st July 2023, MVT Eco has reported on 86,766 shipments, with a total CO2 equivalent of 279,864.58 tonnes.

Metro has committed to environmental transparency, using international sustainability reporting standards and through ISO 14001 accreditation, Metro has been fully offsetting emissions through verified carbon offsets.

Metro has been certified Carbon Neutral for two years.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) that becomes effective from 2024 will extend a company’s obligation to report on sustainability issues, to stimulate the EU’s transition to a sustainable economy.

However, it is likely to cause headaches for companies needing to report on Scope 3 emissions, which are outside their immediate control and brings reporting on emissions to the same level as financial auditing.

Scope 1 emissions are produced directly by companies, while Scope 2 is mainly from energy that is bought in and Scope 3 accounts for all other indirect emissions, the majority of which are in the supply chain. 

Scope 3 emissions account for the most – typically 10 times those of Scope 1 and 2 combined – and they are the hardest to measure, requiring a reliable, automated way to collect data and analyse it against targets.

UK companies operating in the EU will need to report Scope 3 emissions in CSRD and while reporting is currently voluntary in the UK, it will inevitably become mandatory.

MVT Eco uses reporting methodology that is in conformance with the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) and incorporates 30 pre-built charts and downloadable statements, to simplify Scope 3 reporting compliance for customers in the EU and UK.

The MVT ECO module is available free-of-charge to customers on their MVT dashboard. To request a demo or discuss your requirements, please EMAIL Simon George.

As the effects of climate change intensify, the pressure on the food sector will increase over the coming decades, which is encapsulated by the FDF’s environmental ambition in creating a more sustainable food system. 

Supply chain issues, labour shortages, threats to energy security and rising inflation have added a new set of challenges for the food and drink industry over the last 12 months, however despite these obstacles, FDF members remain focused on their ambition to reach Net Zero by 2040 – a decade earlier than government targets.

The oft-quoted Forbes survey found that 82% of consumers want brands to practice sustainability and while some cracks have crept into the sustainability narrative as the cost of living crisis bites, the global pandemic and recent environmental disasters have maintained demand for sustainable practices and products.

Sustainability is good for business; it builds brand value, meets consumer expectations, attracts talent and creates new opportunities, but only if you communicate your efforts credibly, and avoid being perceived as greenwashing.

According to NielsenIQ survey data, 46% of consumers still expect brands to take the lead on bringing about sustainable change, which means that brands can no longer greenwash themselves. 

Packaging and last-mile delivery are primary sources of emissions with 53% of US and UK consumers wanting brands to produce less packaging and an average of 25% willing to pay a surcharge for eco-friendly delivery.

Manufacturers, producers, brands and retailers are already rethinking their practices, to find sustainable solutions, including the adoption of eco-friendly packaging, more climate-friendly shipping options, optimised waste management and completely eliminating packaging waste.

Despite today’s economic uncertainty, consumers are still open to sustainable products if they are affordable and offer value, which is why effective implementation and communication of these initiatives is critical.

Metro can help shippers switch to sustainable packaging for their products, by sourcing sustainable and ecological packaging materials, while our freight centres use renewable materials, which reduce packaging waste to a minimum.

Through our MVT ECO initiative, Metro is measuring and monitoring the emissions of every shipment, by every mode, for all of our customers, with offsetting alternatives, so they can work towards carbon neutrality in their global supply chain. 

CO2 emissions caused by transport are calculated according to EN 16258 to provide data and reporting that complies with the most demanding frameworks and methodologies. 

Using our latest generation MVT Eco module, we develop intelligent supply chain solutions. With accurate and representative data, that are respectful of the environment, we create low-carbon multi-modal solutions that blend air, road, sea, inland waterways and rail, together with NGV and electric vehicles.

The MVT ECO module is available free-of-charge to customers on their MVT dashboard. To request a demo or discuss your requirements, please EMAIL Simon George.