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COP 28 lessons sharpen sustainability focus

Written by

Peter Fox AM
Executive Chairman
Peter Fox AM is the Executive Chairman of Linfox Pty Ltd, Linfox Australia Pty Ltd, Linfox International Group Pty Ltd and Linfox Armaguard Pty Ltd. He held a wide range of roles across the Linfox business in operational and management positions before his appointment as Executive Chairman in 1993.
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Act Sustainably

Writing on my return from the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, I am cautiously hopeful the summit will be a key turning point towards authentic transformational action by world leaders.

 

Recent data adds weight to this hope and presents a renewed sense of urgency as we continue to see new records being broken. We recently learnt that the June to August 2023 period was the planet’s warmest since records began in 1940. Last year saw record levels of coal being burnt, while this year is marked by record levels of oil consumption. Relentless and widespread floods, bushfires and storms continue to impact countries and communities worldwide.

This is my second Climate Change Summit, having attended the adoption of the Paris Agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015. Sadly, the world’s governments have been slow to deliver on the ambitious promises made during those exciting days in Paris.

It is clear that public policy and funding won’t adequately shift the needle. But with the active participation of the private sector, we can fast track this essential transformation.

Writing in the Financial Times, journalist Pilita Clark notes that the summits have been ‘tremendous normalisers of ideas that were once considered radical, such as the imperative to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century’ – a goal that Linfox is striving to achieve.

While Linfox has made considerable progress on our sustainability journey since 2007, when we first pledged our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, there is still a long way to go.

Eighty-five per cent of Linfox’s carbon footprint comes from diesel fuel consumption, so the biggest impact we can make is the conversion of our fleet to low or zero emission vehicles and moving freight onto rail.

We are proud to have six electric vehicles in operation for major customers, with plans to significantly expand our electric fleet and infrastructure in the coming years. In 2026, we will welcome a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck along with our first hydrogen refuelling stations.

Multi-modal investment

We are also capitalising on the $155 billion of public funds being invested to transform Australia’s rail over the next 15 years.

The newly opened Linfox Adelaide Freight Terminal facility is connected to the city’s interstate rail line. The site sees up to 450 shipping containers per week move through the connecting cargo link, removing an entire local transport leg.

In a Linfox first, our Willawong site in Queensland has been awarded carbon neutral certification by Climate Active. This was achieved through a combination of solar energy, battery technology, electric forklifts, recycling diversion and nature-based carbon offsets.

We continue to increase renewable electricity from largescale solar systems to help make several major Linfox sites carbon neutral. On a micro level, our GreenFox sustainability program is supported by 188 GreenFox Champions who influence team members to act sustainably onsite.

CEO Linfox ANZ, Mark Mazurek and Group Manager Resources and Industrial West Linfox, Ben Hill with one of three electric vans set to hit the road in metropolitan Perth.

Individual bins in our offices have been replaced by large waste stations incorporating recycling and landfill bins in open spaces, kitchens and tearooms. Early feedback shows the change is encouraging people to recycle their waste, be mindful of waste generation and inspiring reusable options.

The first of the Armaguard armoured electric vehicles, a Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter, is under development and due to be operational in early 2024.

As we acknowledge our progress, Linfox remains acutely aware of the need for further advancements, understanding that our journey toward sustainability is an ongoing commitment to persistence, innovation, and a shared responsibility for a greener, more sustainable future.

Linfox's sustainability journey

2007

GreenFox begins

Monitoring emissions starts, baseline data.

2016

CO2 reduced by 52%

Surpassed 50% target two years ahead of schedule.

2021

First E-truck

First Volvo FL Electric for Asahi Beverages.

2021-2023

6 x E-trucks, new DCs, first battery
Daimler/Volvo for Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, Lion, Asahi Beverages; new sustainable DCs in WA, Vic and SA rail terminal facility, solar PV, batteries (tripled capacity).

2024

Next gen E-trucks

26 electric trucks by 2026. Plug-in ready E-truck charging infrastructure in 5 Star Green Star DCs.

2026

First fuel cell E-truck

Increase E-truck infrastructure, first AU hydrogen re-fuelling stations.

2030

Net Zero Scope 2

100% renewable electricity nationwide.

2050

Net Zero goals

Linfox striving for Net Zero Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Image: I was pleased to attend the summit alongside passionate industry peers including (L-R) Volvo Group Executive VP, Lars Stenqvist, Volvo Group Executive VP Group Communication, Kina Wileke, Holcim CEO Jan Jenisch, EA to President and CEO, Helena Landbergsson, and Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt. 
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