Reducing emissions from transport
Most of our products are transported by road. Vehicles use road fuels and this releases CO2, which contributes to climate change. There is also growing concern about 'food miles' - the distance food and beverages travel from farms or manufacturing sites to retailers and ultimately consumers. And there are other more localised issues such as the impact of exhaust emissions on air quality, along with traffic congestion.
We own a small fleet of distribution vehicles, which are mainly used for smaller deliveries to local shops and newsagents. We also use haulage companies such as Eddie Stobart Ltd to transport bulk deliveries to supermarkets and other large customers.
- These deliveries account for over 19 million road miles every year
- That equates to roughly 0.5% of all HGV food miles undertaken in the UK
We've been working to reduce emissions from both our own fleet and our industry partners.
- During 2007 and 2008, these green distribution initiatives have saved just under 1.5 million road miles
- That's approximately 2,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year - equivalent to the carbon emissions of 167 households
We have worked with our haulier partners on collaborative transport planning, called Backhaul, where we plan our haulage routes more efficiently. In 2008 we saved 247,000 miles.
Reducing our own emissions
We're reducing the carbon footprint of our own vehicles through better journey planning and by using smaller vehicles for smaller loads. We're also reducing harmful exhaust emissions by using a special exhaust gas treatment system known as Selective Catalytic Reduction.
Through initiatives like these, CCE is meeting the highest environmental emissions standards (Euro V) and adopting best practice well ahead of the legal requirement for new vehicles in October 2009.
- By the end of 2008, around half of our 102-strong fleet of local delivery vehicles met this standard
- Since December 2006, all new vehicles have been specified to meet the Euro V standard
We are also looking into the use of hybrid and energy-efficient vehicles within our distribution and sales fleets.
- For our car fleet we have specified low emission vehicles and use Vauxhall Astra ecoFLEX, which delivers carbon emissions of below 120g per kilometre
- We are currently involved in trials of hybrid forklift trucks at our Edmonton site. These forklifts are 5-10% more efficient than those using standard fuel
- For distribution, we are planning to trial hybrid Volvo and Iveco 21-tonne delivery trucks in the last quarter of 2009 and in 2010
- From 2010 onwards all replacement 3.5-7.5 tonne trucks will be specified to EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) status, which will result in lower exhaust emissions
Working with the industry to reduce emissions
Since 2006 we have been involved in an industry-wide green distribution project in partnership with Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).
The project aims to use the experience and skills of the 20 participating organisations to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. It achieves this by improving efficiency and cutting vehicle miles, as well as cutting transport costs.
Rail freight
We're working with Tesco and Eddie Stobart Ltd on a dedicated rail freight route between Stobart's distribution centre in Livingston and the Daventry International Rail Freight terminal.
Under this partnership, goods on each southbound journey are made up of products from CCE's East Kilbride manufacturing site, ready for distribution to our Northampton distribution centre.
- In total, the freight train service will reduce CCE's carbon footprint by 412 tonnes in 2008 - equivalent to 276 thousand lorry miles every year
