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Event Transport

The 2020 report from the Department for Transport on decarbonisation states that “This is not optional; there is no plausible path to net zero without major transport emissions reductions, reductions that need to start being delivered soon”.

Transport is now the largest-emitting sector of the UK economy, accounting for 28% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.

In the UK, van traffic has increased by 104% since 1990. Much of this change is attributed to service vehicles and ‘last mile’ delivery services with 80% of our goods moved by road.

‘Last mile’ delivery services are the journeys between the retailer and the consumer.  For events, this is the journey between the supplier and event venue.

While mobility is a key part of our life, the Department for Transport has outlined that60% of vehicle salesin the UK by 2030 must be Electric Vehicles (EV) to ensure our trajectory on the pathway to Net Zero.

For every 10 event vehicles on the road, we need to swap one for an EV every 16 months. By 2030, for every 10 event vehicles on a job, six out of them must be EVs.

Get ideas idea for taking action below or benchmark your progress.

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What we can do...

1. Efficient loading

Reduce the need for transport by reducing the need for space.

– Design sets so they can be flat-packed.
– Use stackable boxes for smaller items to reduce bulky or awkward loads
– Use what you can from within a venue to eliminate transport

2. Consolidating loads

Consolidate freighted goods through smart planning .

Connect suppliers up in advance to discuss transport requirements and see if vehicle sharing is an option. Procure from suppliers within the same area to facilitate this.

Consider a central delivery hub where goods can be consolidated and transported their last miles by electric vehicle. This helps improve air quality in urban spaces.

3. Rail & water transportation

Opt for transporting goods by rail or water wherever this can be made possible.

For international events with overseas freight requirements plan as early as possible for sea or rail freight. Sea freight is more than 80% less harmful for the planet per tonne/km travelled than air freight.

If you know you need to ship sets or assets, plan this as early as possible to increase the likelihood of rail or water shipping. You could also consider a 50 / 50 journey – 50% by air and 50% by water or rail, meaning that you can reduce freight emissions by 50% straight away!

4. Electric vehicles

Between now and 2030, Electric Vehicle (EV) use in our transport and freight network needs to increase to around 60% in order to deliver carbon reductions and air quality improvements.

This means that for every 10 vehicles we use for an event, we need to swap one petrol based vehicle for an EV every 16 months. This means that by 2030, for every 10 vehicles we have on an event, 6 out of them will be EVs. 

5. Bike & EV couriers

Our last minute journeys can often easily be carried out by bicycle couriers and electric mopeds. Opt for providers that can offer these services.

This not only save on emissions and support improved air quality in urban areas, but saves time and therefore money in congested areas.

6. Driver Training

Improvements in freight logistics efficiency such as driver training to drive more fuel efficiently can help improve emissions.

Make it part of the procurement process to ask your logistics suppliers if they train their drivers in this way.

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