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Linfox sets 50 percent emissions reduction target

Linfox sets new target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2015

By Samantha Freestone | March 4, 2010

Linfox CEO Michael Byrne launched another ambitious emissions reduction target this morning – aiming for a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2015.

After Linfox met its previous 28 percent reduction target a year ahead of schedule last year, Byrne says the new goal is building upon the company’s “tremendous success in the last three years”.

The announcement follows the National Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Scheme (NGERS) office’s release of emissions data from the top polluters in the country. Linfox was one of four road transport companies that generated more than 125 kilotonnes of CO2 in 2008/09 – emitting 202,075 t CO2-e through the consumption of 3.067 million GJ of energy.

Manager, Environment and Climate Change, David McInnes, says although every decision at Linfox is a “team decision” he is excited to be a part of the new goals to make the company a leader in emissions management in Australia.

“We have an annual conference of our greenhouse group conveners who meet following the carbon expo held in Queensland.

“We considered the reduction we had achieved and had been asked by the chairman what was to be our next target.

“We came up with a stretch target that wasn’t unachievable, that of 50 percent by 2015,” McInnes says.

Linfox hopes to meet the target by putting
all of its drivers
through the eco-drive training program. Some 700 have completed the program so far.

McInness adds that the company is
also looking at the use of bio-diesel. “Up until this point in time we haven’t been able to satisfy requirements that it be from a sustainable source nor found it in the quantities we require,” he says.

Linfox is “in negotiations with several bio-diesel suppliers” with a fuel requirement of 100 million litres per annum.

The company also plans to create a “sustainable supply chain” and will look into liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel source as more supply becomes available.

McInnes would not comment on the lack of subsidies for such fuels adding the Linfox environmental strategy is not motivated “by cost or subsidy”.

Byrne says route planning and better vehicle utilisation are among measures developed to reduce emissions since 2007.

“In the coming years, new vehicle technologies, improved aerodynamics and a range of emerging innovations will help us achieve our new 50 per cent reduction target.

“Linfox’s commitment to caring for the environment is one of our key competitive advantages,” he says.

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