The freight industry is at the centre of a controversy surrounding the subject of global warming and what can be done to prevent it.
As little as ten years ago the only people who seemed to be concerned about the greenhouse effect were certain scientists, environmental charities and eco warriors. For the majority of us, even if we were aware of the issues involved we did not think that we or even our grandchildren would be troubled by the results of our polluting lifestyles.
How things have changed! Most world leaders have put the ‘environmental problem’ at the top of their agendas showing that the subject has moved very much into the mainstream of public debate. From green taxes to incentives to buy unleaded petrol over the leaded alternative, we are all affected by the damage being done to our environment and the need to do something about it.
The freight industry in particular is being challenged to become more green. A number of air freight forwarding companies have introduced what are known as ‘offset policies’. In other words, every time cargo is flown around the world the companies invest a certain amount of money into environmental projects.
Some critics say however that this is simply not good enough. They say that the real aim must be to reduce carbon emissions rather than to simply balance them by doing something good for the environment.
According to statistics global carbon emissions are predicted to reach 25 billion tons this year. Of this amount between 4 and 7% is a result of air travel (including air freight).
The Kyoto Protocol Agreement which was signed by many European countries (but not the United States) is committed to reducing carbon emissions from signatory countries. It aims to do this by setting limits for 2008-2012.
There is hope that this agreement along with offset policies being adopted by many freight forwarding companies will produce the changes that are so desperately needed.
GBS Freight is a freight forwarding company based in the UK that transports cargo around the world by air, sea and road.
Written By: Steven Hoy
