London’s logistics sector needs greater help from the government if the UK is to meet its net-zero carbon ambitions, according to industry figures.
Planning and development consultancy Turley and the London Industry and Logistics Sounding Board have recommended that the government clarify the electrification of HGVs across the capital and speed up the installation of rooftop solar panels on warehouses.
In its Accelerating Logistics Towards Net Zero report, Turley said existing warehouse roofspace could host 15GWp of solar power, doubling the nation’s total installed capacity, but slow grid upgrades and regulation around sharing and selling energy generation is holding back the rollout.
Barny Evans, sustainability director at Turley, said: “The logistics sector is the lifeblood of our economy. The industry recognises it is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts; it is eager to accelerate its decarbonisation. There’s a responsibility on government to unlock the barriers to this and provide the policy needed.”
Jules Pipe, deputy mayor of London for planning, regeneration and skills, added: “Our net zero targets are ambitious and if we are to meet them, the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors like logistics is critical.
“Businesses operating in the sector have a key role, but government support will be equally important. This report calls on government to speed up the decarbonisation of one of our most important sectors and proposes three key areas for action.”
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