Innovate, the fast growing logistics and property company, showed its green credentials this week when it opened Britain’s most environmentally friendly office building. It is aiming to have a carbon neutral or better supply chain within five years. As Stephen Dargavel, managing director said, it is one thing to do that with a building but another when it includes a big fleet of trucks. (see and hear the speech)
One of the reasons for this is that the supermarket chains are pressing suppliers to be environmentally friendly (although Innovate is owned by an Iceland firm called Eimskip and Iceland is very very keen on environmental initiatives).
Companies such as M&S and Tesco are also very keen on environmental initiatives and expect their transport operators to come up with green solutions. Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco was on the radio on Wednesday and he mentioned that his fleet is now running on 50% bio-diesel.If you want to get on in the haulage and distribution industry now, you need to me environmentally friendly. Are you ready when customers ask you about your carbon footprint?

Commercial Motor is holding an environmental conference on October 19. Details from sharon.webb@rb.co.uk