Sam Warren, sustainability manager at Woodland Group, has become the first chair of the British International Freight Association (BIFA)’s Sustainable Logistics Policy Group.

The trade association that represents UK freight forwarding and logistics companies established this policy group in 2023 to help identify and report on environmental-related issues that are already impacting members’ business operations and those that may do so in the future.

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Sam is a graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London. Prior to working for Woodland Group, one of the UK’s largest independent logistics businesses, he was the environmental and sustainability officer for Chelmsford City Council.

He was elected at the policy group’s meeting in March. The group discussed wider sustainable goals and placed a strong emphasis on developing pragmatic policies to benefit members.

At the meeting, consideration was given to two EU measures, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which both impact the UK. The former indirectly, as members are requested to provide carbon emissions data for moving goods into the EU.

The ETS, which is in its infancy, is impacting shipping lines. These lines are incurring additional taxes on emissions generated by maritime movements into the EU from outside the bloc.

Commenting on Sam’s election, BIFA Director General Steve Parker said all BIFA members are at different stages of developing policies addressing environmental and sustainability issues within their supply chains.

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“Sam will be chairing a recently formed group designed to help shape best practice guidance and influence how BIFA’s policy and compliance staff can represent members’ interests on this subject in our interaction with the Government and other stakeholders developing legislation on the matter.

Sam added: “Environmental and sustainability issues are not new. Over time, the environmental agenda within freight and logistics has developed. Whilst the focus is often on carbon emissions, there are other wide-ranging generic issues. I am delighted to have been elected as the first chair of what will certainly be a significant policy group.”

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