UK freight group names first sustainable logistics chair

UK freight association BIFA has appointed Woodland group’s Sam Warren as the first chair of its new Sustainable Logistics Policy Group.

Sam Warren (pictured, right, with Mike Jones, BIFA’s policy advisor for sustainability and environment) is also sustainability manager at Woodland Group, an Essex-based freight forwarder. He is a graduate of University of London’s Goldsmiths College, and prior to working for Woodland was environmental and sustainability officer for Chelmsford City Council.

The trade association, which represents UK freight forwarding and logistics companies, established the Policy Group in 2023 to identify and report on current and future environmental issues impacting its members’ operations.

Sam Warren was elected at the policy group’s meeting held in March, which discussed wider sustainable goals and policies. It considered two EU measures, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – under which BIFA members are being requested to provide carbon emissions data for moving goods into the EU – and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for shipping. .

BIFA director general, Steve Parker said that BIFA members are at different stages in developing environmental and sustainability policy. He commented: “Sam will be chairing a recently-formed group that is designed to help shape best practice guidance. [It will] influence how BIFA’s policy and compliance staff can represent members’ interests on this subject in our interaction with Government and other stakeholders that are developing legislation on the matter.”

Sam Warren added: “Environmental and sustainability issues are not new. Over time, the environmental agenda within freight and logistics has developed. Whilst the focus is often about 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 very important policy group.