Collaborating with experts.
The transport and logistics sector is the second-highest carbon-emitting sector in the world. As a freight forwarder, we have the opportunity to help our customers, suppliers, and partners to increase their knowledge in this area and even support a reduction of emissions.
One of the barriers to starting a sustainable journey and developing a strategy is understanding all the jargon that comes with it. We started our own journey by learning more about the topic with industry-leading organisations like the Smart Freight Centre and The Carbon Literacy Project, to increase our knowledge in an ever-evolving landscape.
This knowledge, together with our global connections became what we now call the Sustainable Freight Network. From what started as a fledgling idea, has now grown into a whole team of experts!
Learning from the best
The political and economic pressures are on to ensure businesses focus on their sustainable strategies, new legislation is being released globally and staying ahead of this, as well as the jargon AND how to mitigate it is a challenge we all have to face.
We knew we needed to partner with reliable experts who can help us, and our customers and partners stay ahead which led us to pitch to Innovate UK to secure funding for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Nottingham Trent University, who have leading Academics within this field.
Only a handful of businesses are chosen to receive funding for a KTP, so for us to be recognised is something we’re immensely proud of.
The KTP allows us to work closely with leading academics from Nottingham Trent University, including Dr Richard Howarth, Dr Stuart Carnell, and Dr Muhammad Mazhar.
Drs Howarth and Mazhar bring particular expertise related to carbon emissions, assessment and reporting, both having recently published insights from their work via the award winning ‘Handbook of Carbon Management’ with colleagues at NBS, and environment and sustainability related projects in organisations large and small.
For Dr Howarth, who ran Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) approved courses for a practitioner audience and supported organisations in gaining certification to environmental standards, such as ISO14001, this work follows earlier work in the logistics sector with organisations such as Bidfood, in which he was able to support the organisation gaining the first corporate ISO14001 certification in the transport and logistics sector in the UK.
Our partnership with Nottingham Trent University has also led to the recruitment of our very own in-house Sustainability Specialist, Oumaima who will work closely with the academics at NTU.
We chatted to her about her experience in sustainability, and the growing importance of sustainability in a business.
What is your experience working in sustainability?
O – I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, focusing on climate justice, human rights, and international law. This academic background led me to work as an ESG analyst for one of the leading rating companies, where I assessed and rated companies’ sustainability performance using the GRI methodology. However, I soon realised I needed more than merely evaluating sustainability efforts. I wanted to raise awareness, help implement sustainable practices in businesses, and drive real change rather than consider it. To pursue this goal, I targeted the international market, specifically the UK, a promising country for implementing climate laws. I earned my master’s degree in international journalism from The University of Leeds to enhance my content creation and communication skills. All of this has led me to Baxter Freight. During the KTP, one of my primary targets is achieving ISO 14001 certification and shifting the company culture towards sustainability.
Where did your interest in sustainability begin?
O – My interest in sustainability began right after my graduation, when a friend from India shared her experiences. She spoke about the importance of sustainable practices due to severe water scarcity in her city, which exacerbated social gaps and injustices. Her connection between global warming and social issues resonated with me and fueled my passion for sustainability. When I had the chance to work on a comprehensive sustainability methodology, I seized the opportunity.
What should more people know about sustainability?
O – That people are the driving force behind sustainability! Customers can influence businesses through their purchasing power, and employees can change the status quo by implementing sustainable practices within their organisations. The concept is straightforward: Earth has limited resources, and we must preserve them unless we want to face severe consequences!
Why should businesses care about sustainability?
O – Sustainability is no longer just a label or a certification; it is essential for business growth and risk mitigation, whether financial (such as cost of capital and equity) or social (such as human rights and reputation). It is now enforced by laws and regulations, with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) imposing even stricter requirements.
What’s the best first step to start implementing sustainability?
O – My journey from assessing sustainability to implementing it has been driven by a desire to make a tangible difference. We can move towards a more sustainable and equitable future by focusing on natural, impactful actions and changing an organisation’s culture.
"It is fantastic to continue our work with colleagues at Baxter Freight, particularly on a project like this which is both timely and necessary give, for example, the contribution of carbon emissions from the sector. The work will be both challenging and interesting and Baxter Freight are well placed to support and bring about change and improvements in this area given their own strategy and work and unique position".
The changing world of sustainability can seem daunting, but all it takes is one small step. That’s how our journey began and we know it can be possible for you too!
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