New freight decarbonisation forum launched

A new government and freight industry forum has been launched to help the sector decarbonise, ahead of net-zero targets for 2050.

The move – part of the Future of Freight plan – will see a Freight Energy Forum created, bringing together government and the freight industry across all modes of transport, including rail, road, air, maritime and warehousing.

The forum will meet quarterly and discuss potential solutions to reduce emissions across the sector, alongside a longer-term roadmap for clean energy infrastructure.

Discussion

Topics to be discussed will include the supply and demand of energy for freight; the types of energy infrastructure required; and the locations needed for such infrastructure, such as motorway service stations. It will also look at regulatory barriers and planning issues which may impact the transition – as well as localised concerns that could effect the construction of zero-carbon energy infrastructure.

Chaired by the Department for Transport, the forum will also include officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Alongside government, there will be senior representatives across the energy and freight industries, including the Road Haulage Association, Logistics UK and National Grid.

The government described the forum as “technology-neutral” and said it would “not prioritise one type of technology”.

Greater certainty

Transport Minister Richard Holden said: “The forum could help to create high-skilled, highly-paid jobs across the UK by giving the industry greater certainty to invest in sustainable modes of freight transport and the supporting energy infrastructure needed to transition to net zero, in turn supporting the growth of the economy.”

Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK Denise Beedell said: “Logistics UK is delighted to be part of the Freight Energy Forum and represent the needs of our members in identifying and clarifying the energy infrastructure and solutions, which will be needed if the industry is to reach net zero.”

Road Haulage Association (RHA) lead on the environment and vehicles Chris Ashley said: “The RHA strongly welcomes the Freight Energy Forum. The manufacture of electric and hydrogen lorries is only one part of the jigsaw that gets these vehicles on our roads quickly. The other part is the infrastructure needed to power them.

“Our members are keen to start operating these vehicles as soon as possible yet face considerable cost headwinds. Public investment in the UK’s energy capability is, therefore, essential to ensure a viable and reliable energy supply exists. We look forward to scoping out how this is achieved so that all parts of the UK economy can be serviced by our members.”

Image from Shutterstock

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