The FTA has relaunched its Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme as the Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS).

The relaunch of the scheme has taken place at the Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show in Birmingham.

While renamed, the scheme still has the previous commitment for a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 below that of 2015 levels. The trade association will shortly establish a target of further reductions before 2025.

In a statement, the FTA said: “It is hoped that by providing industry with a tool to record and report its progress in reducing emissions from freight operations it will continue to demonstrate to Government that no further regulation is required.

“The relaunched scheme now incorporates air quality performance as well as carbon, reflecting the priority that industry, Government and the public give this issue.”

According to the FTA, its members have a track record in environmental awareness. By the end of 2016, 40% of its members’ HGVs had Euro VI engines compared to 28% across the industry as a while The FTA members are trialling alternative fuel vehicles and technologies as well.

Rebecca Kite, Environment Policy Manager for FTA, said: “I am very excited to be involved in the relaunch of the new scheme and look forward to watching it develop. The changes to air quality policy from Government will continue to challenge us, but I am confident that our members will continue to outperform industry as a whole and lead the way into a cleaner, greener future.”

LERS is provided for the industry by FTA free of charge and is open to all companies with at least one commercial vehicle (HGV or van). Further information can be found at http://lers.org.uk/home/what-is-lers. The scheme, which is now in its eighth year, helps members record, report and reduce emissions and now has more than 130 members with more than 88,000 vehicles.