Carbon Footprint Management
Since its formation in 1997, UDG has developed into one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain solution providers. This ISO and IIP accredited company has two MHRA approved warehouses and delivers in excess of £2 billion of pharmaceutical and healthcare products annually to hospitals, wholesalers, supermarkets, pharmacy chains and GP practices on behalf of their clients.
With any business, developing scale brings increased responsibility, not just in terms of clients and suppliers but also to neighbours, the community and the environment. UDG being well aware of these responsibilities commissioned Click-On Logistics to undertake an environmental assessment of their supply chain Carbon Footprint.
Calculate & Manage CO2 emissions:
Click-On Logistics applied their assessment methodology and measurement protocols to calculate and activity map CO2 emissions across UDG’s supply chain, from warehouse receipt up to and including customer delivery. Whilst this first stage provided the business with quantum’s against which to manage its emissions it did not calculate the CO2 emissions attributable to individual clients.
Outcomes & Impact:
Both Click-On Logistics and UDG agreed that second stage measurement of CO2 by customer, provided a separate but necessary dynamic: allowing them to work with clients and end customers to assess the impact of service requirements on overall supply chain emissions. The benefits of this approach have assisted UDG with:
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Embarking on a programme of CO2 reduction within their operations
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Analysis to support work with clients to influence, or as a minimum provide visibility of the CO2 emission impact of differing service and demand requirements.
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The proactive design of minimal emission client specific supply chains.
Despite differing physical business offerings, both UDG and Click-On Logistics’ service portfolio is based on providing tailored solutions for individual clients. This common commitment and Click-On Logistics’ proven environmental measurement protocols has resulted in an efficient and effective partnership and a small step forward in reducing the environmental impact.
Russell Atkinson, Business Development Director commented: "As a major player in the distribution industry we felt it was our responsibility on behalf of our clients to look at our carbon emissions in our operations, which is effectively their Supply Chain. The results have enabled us to provide helpful information around which constructive discussions can take place regarding the potential for carbon reduction, and in some cases cost reductions at the same time."
"We are continually on the lookout for ways in which we can add value to clients and carbon emissions are high on their agendas, as well as ours" Atkinson continued.
