Enhancing environmental responsibility in the freight and logistics sector, Sam Warren, the sustainability manager at Woodland Group, has been appointed as the inaugural chair of the British International Freight Association (BIFA)’s Sustainable Logistics Policy Group.
Established in 2023, this policy group is dedicated to identifying and addressing environmental issues impacting the business operations of UK freight forwarding and logistics companies. Sam Warren, a graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London, brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as the environmental and sustainability officer for Chelmsford City Council.
The group, in its recent meeting held in March, underscored its commitment to developing pragmatic policies that would benefit its members. During the meeting, the focus was on two crucial EU measures, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), both exerting an impact on the UK.
The CBAM indirectly influences BIFA members, as they are now required to furnish carbon emissions data for goods transported into the EU. Simultaneously, the ETS, in its nascent stage, is affecting shipping lines with additional taxes for emissions generated during maritime movements into the EU from outside the bloc.
Steve Parker, the director general of BIFA, commented on Sam’s election, emphasizing that BIFA members are at varying stages in their efforts to develop policies addressing environmental and sustainability issues within their supply chains. He highlighted Sam’s role in chairing the group, emphasizing its importance in shaping best practices and influencing policy and compliance efforts in their interactions with the government and other stakeholders developing relevant legislation.
Expressing his thoughts on the appointment, Sam Warren remarked, “Environmental and sustainability issues are not new. Over time, the environmental agenda within freight and logistics has developed. While the focus is often about carbon emissions, there are other wide-ranging generic issues. I am delighted to have been elected as the first chair of what will certainly be a very important policy group.”
This development underscores the industry’s commitment to proactively address environmental concerns and establish practices that align with sustainable goals. As the Sustainable Logistics Policy Group takes shape under Sam Warren’s leadership, it is poised to play a crucial role in steering the freight and logistics sector towards a greener and more sustainable future.
