lye years ago Commercial Motor opened its report from the
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Frankfurt truck show with the words: "We've just seen the future of road transport—and it's green." We were referring specifically to the arrival of low noise, low-emission engines, but since then few corners of road haulage have been left untouched by the incoming green tide.
But why bother about green issues at all? Isn't running a haulage operation already a full-time job without having to worry about what many see as marginal issues? Surely the problem is global, rather than local?
Any operator with that attitude is likely to get a rude awakening when it comes to renewing his 0-licence. Since environmental objections were added to the 0-licensing system in 1982, the number of objections brought against operators has risen as residents become more aware of their rights.
The figures speak for themselves. During 1993 94 the there were 35,949 publishable 0-licence applications. They attracted objections from 9,048 members of the public (up more than 10% on 1992-93).
Add those objections to the 947 from local or planning authorities (the majority of which were on environmental/highway grounds) and you're beginning to see the strength of the environmental lobby.
In fact, out of the 457 new 0-licence applications that went to a public inquiry, environmental concerns were raised in more than 200 cases.
So wise hauliers don't ask what Green issues have to do with running a business—they ask what they can do to make their businesses more Green.
Fortunately, two recent initiatives will help operators focus on potential problems and provide them with a guide through the ecominefield.