GREEN FREIGHT

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS, PARTICULARLY the reduction of emissions, is becoming an essential part of every successful customer-facing business. New Zealand’s transition to a low or zero carbon emissions economy has begun and will, by necessity, only accelerate over the next 30 years or so as we head towards our stated target of carbon neutrality by 2050, says RTF’s Nick Leggett.

“Pressure is coming on from competitors, suppliers and critics of the industry. There is more and more information out there regarding a business’s environmental credentials and that is having a big impact on consumer behaviour.”

International insurer IAG recently released its second annual survey of how NZers feel about climate change. The poll found that 79% of people see climate change as important to them and 67% said they were prepared to take personal actions to reduce the impacts of it.

“We know that the public expect greater environmental stewardship through the entire lifecycle of a product,” says Leggett.

“They want to feel good about the businesses they engage with and that goes through the whole supply chain.

“Modern consumers want to know that, at every stage of the supply chain, businesses are doing what they can to mitigate their environmental impact. For road transport a significant reduction in emissions presents a real challenge.”

While improving engine technology over the last 20 to 30 years has significantly improved fuel efficiency and environmental outcomes,