Global logistics company Agility has become the first freight and logistics provider to achieve carboNZero certification in New Zealand.
Certified by Landcare Research, the carboNZero program is an initiative to encourage organisations to measure and offset their carbon emissions.
Agilitiy’s New Zealand CEO Anthony Browne said: “The movement of freight around the globe is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As an industry we need to recognise this, and take steps to ensure we are actively looking at ways of reducing our carbon footprint.
“CarboNZero certification is our public commitment to this, and provides our business with a way to make a real difference.”
The New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has congratulated the company on moving forwards to be environmentally sustainable.
“Overseas consumers are increasingly conscious of the role and impact of freight and transport in getting the product to international markets. We want New Zealand products to keep their marketing edge,” she said.
Agility has worked with Landcare to measure the carbon emissions created when their customers mobilise freight internationally by air or sea. This enabled the company to offer their customers the option of a carboNZero certified service for the movement of cargo to or from any port in the world.
“With publicity over recent years on the concept of food miles and the potential negative impact that this could have on New Zealand exports we feel that this service offering is of significant value for our customers”, Mr Browne said.
According to the Green Transportation and Logistics Report, published by eyefortransport, up to 75% of a company’s carbon footprint is estimated to come from its transportation and logistics activities.