Tarmac pledge commitment to net-zero logistics
Company signs up to Logistics UK’s ‘Route to Net Zero: A Manifesto for Logistics’ campaign
TARMAC have signed up to a major national campaign that is helping the logistics industry accelerate its journey to net zero. The company has pledged to support Logistics UK’s ‘Route to Net Zero’ commitment, encouraging those operating across the sector to decarbonize their operations quickly and effectively, to help speed up the UK’s path to net zero by 2050.
Tarmac move millions of tonnes of essential construction materials to local, regional, and national infrastructure projects every year and have already taken significant steps to optimize their transport networks to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
Graham Waters, logistics director at Tarmac, said: ‘It’s really important that we’re able to offer our customers the most efficient, sustainable logistics solutions for projects of all scales, ensuring vital construction materials are delivered safely to the right place, at the right time.
‘Signing up to Logistics UK’s Route to Net Zero pledge marks a further step for our business, underscoring our commitment to eliminating carbon emissions from our extensive UK-wide logistics networks and accelerating this process through collaboration with our haulier partners and the wider industry.’
Michelle Gardner, deputy director of policy at Logistics UK, said: ‘Logistics UK applauds Tarmac’s support for our Route to Net Zero commitment and the company’s clear intent to meet net-zero targets. Tarmac have already demonstrated a serious commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions across their operations and Logistics UK looks forward to seeing the introduction of further innovative sustainability solutions moving forward.’
As the operator of one of the largest HGV fleets in the UK, Tarmac have seen more than 90% of their vehicles become compliant with Euro 6 emissions standard and have recently brought the UK’s first all-electric, battery-electric ready-mixed concrete truck into operation, as well as the world’s first electric bond coat sprayer.
In 2020, the company signed up to the global EV100 initiative, which involves upgrading its 2,000-strong fleet of corporate cars and vans to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. It is also in the process of developing a roadmap that will see its whole road transport fleet transition away from petrol and diesel fuels.
In addition, with more than 60 rail-connected sites nationwide, Tarmac are one of the country’s biggest users of the rail freight network, transporting around 9 million tonnes of materials across the UK every year, helping to deliver a low-carbon built environment.
To help support further innovation in decarbonization across the freight sector, the business has introduced low-carbon HVO fuel on to one of its key freight routes in the Midlands, and ‘jumbo’ freight trains on the West Coast Main Line, as well as becoming involved in the trial of an electrified rail freight terminal at one of its sites in Northamptonshire.
Logistics UK is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, representing the entire logistics industry, and has more than 20,000 members. ‘Route to Net Zero: A Manifesto for Logistics’ sets out the positive steps that should be taken by the Government and policymakers to help logistics transport operators to decarbonize their operations across all transport modes.
