Fleet companies throughout the supply chain are taking bold steps toward reaching carbon neutrality. And operating a carbon-neutral operation will be a key strategy to secure large contracts, investments as well as acquire and retain talents. As a fleet manager, these goals are going to affect you the most, because a fleet is typically one of the biggest sources for carbon that needs to be reduced.<\/p>\n
Here are the 6 steps fleet companies should follow to go from carbon-heavy to carbon neutral:<\/strong><\/p>\n The first step in any reduction plan is to find out where you are. Based on the number of vehicles in your fleet, the age of your fleet, and the miles driven per year alone, you can get a realistic picture of the amount of carbon you generate today. Carbon neutrality is about ALL of the carbon you produce throughout your operation, your fleet of vehicles, the maintenance areas, the distribution centers, the corporate office, any regional offices\u2026 all of it. \u00a0So you should look at your electric consumption, the amount of waste you generate\u2026It all counts.<\/p>\n Once you understand the carbon you are producing, whether just for your fleet or throughout the entire supply chain you manage, you need to establish meaningful emission reduction goals along with specific milestones. Carbon neutrality is a process that takes time, your employees, shareholders, and customers need to know that what voluntary carbon reduction strategies you are deployment going into the transition. They also need to understand the importance of carbon neutrality.<\/p>\n Logistics and efficiency already go hand in hand, but to achieve carbon neutrality \u2013 you\u2019ve got to go that extra mile. \u00a0Some of the main tools to reduce the carbon emissions of your fleet can include the following for example:<\/p>\n When working toward a carbon-neutral fleet operation, it is easy to get tunnel vision and only focus on the vehicles. The real key to carbon neutrality is in ALL the waste you produce. Keep in mind: wasted materials equal wasted money.<\/p>\n Used tires, pallets, construction and renovation waste, hazardous waste, electronic waste, and all waste fluids all play a part in contributing to a fleet carbon footprint and need to be reduced.<\/p>\n Recycling makes carbon neutrality a lot easier to achieve and it positively impacts your bottom line in three different ways: recycling reduces the amount you spent to send waste to the landfill, creates revenue streams and significantly reduces the amount you will need to spend on carbon credit.<\/p>\n An \u201caverage\u201d ton of waste diverted from the landfill reduces an estimated 2.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions. That\u2019s 2.5 metric tons of emissions that you don\u2019t have to buy carbon credits for.<\/p>\n Start with the waste streams that are easiest to divert and work your way to the more difficult ones. Your waste minimization company becomes extremely important in this phase, so choose wisely.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve gotten your fleet running like a well-oiled machine, and you optimized your recycling programs, the last step to achieve carbon-neutral is purchasing carbon credits, or \u201coffsets\u201d. Offsets typically take the shape of financial support for projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the short or long term.\u00a0The most common format is a renewable energy project, such as wind farms, biomass energy or hydroelectric dams. Others include energy-efficiency projects, forestry projects, the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural by-products, and the destruction of landfill methane. Two of the most popular types of carbon offset projects from a corporate perspective are energy efficiency and wind turbine projects.<\/p>\n Carbon neutral operation is a multiyear transformation that requires constant measurement, tracking and reporting.<\/p>\n Measure the carbon reduction year after year and compare it to the goals. Measure your company-wide greenhouse gas emissions \u2013 by scope, by source, by operation or by process.<\/p>\n Track the carbon reduction associated with each reduction initiative and compare it with the initial estimates. \u00a0Track any setback, identify the root cause and the corrective action taken, then track the impact that the improved initiative.\u00a0Track employee engagement, ideas, and suggestions.<\/p>\nStep 1: Figure Out Where You Are Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Step 2: Develop And Communicate A\u00a0Detailed Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Step 3: Start With The Fleet Operation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Step 4: The Key Accelerator: Reduce Your Waste Footprint <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Step 5: Offset What Cannot Be Eliminated With Carbon Credits<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Step 6:\u00a0Track and Report<\/strong><\/h2>\n