UK scraps compulsory eco-driver training for truckers

SINCE the introduction of the EU Driver Certificate of Professional Competence for large goods vehicle drivers a year ago British government has scrapped plans to make environmentally friendly driver training mandatory.

The decision from Transport Minister Mike Penning has been applauded by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) for taking a more flexible approach to allow individual operators to target poorest performing drivers rather than train drivers every five years.

"It is a welcome recognition by government that working with the grain of industry through voluntary initiatives," FTA's chief economist Simon Chapman, according to London's International Freighting Weekly.

FTA is to extend its carbon reduction research of the supply chain to encompass maritime emissions which will feed into Heriot-Watt University work, said FTA general manager of global and European policy Chris Walsh.

"Shipping is generally regarded as an environmentally sound mode of transport, with relatively low energy consumption per unit of freight moved, but with carbon emissions predicted to rise and national targets in place to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 to 80 per cent by 2050, it is essential that we start work on monitoring and reducing carbon emissions now," Mr Walsh said.

The research is centred around six decarbonised initiatives led or approved shipping by monitoring and managing CO2 and potential savings.
(Source:www.schednet.com)