DBL Logistics have been working closely with the University’s Advanced Resource Efficiency Centre (AREC) on the development of an innovative Supply Chain Environmental Analysis Tool (SCEnAT+).
The online tool enables companies to map their supply chains and identify CO2 emission reduction opportunities. Following the launch of the tool, DBL Logistics Managing Director David Clarkson, and Professor Lenny Koh of the University of Sheffield’s Management School organised an event to discuss the vision of shaping the Sheffield City Region into a world centre for sustainable supply chain logistics research.
The event was attended by worldwide organisations such as Microsoft - a strategic partner of the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Resource Efficiency Centre - as well as Sheffield City Council, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Scarborough Group, Sheffield United, Wurth Research and Shaping Cloud.
David Clarkson, who is also Sheffield Chamber’s Transport Forum representative in the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Logistics Group, said: “The event really highlighted the amazing work that is currently being done by the University regarding research and development in the Sheffield City Region.
We’re very proud to be a part of this project as we work towards our ambition of becoming a carbon neutral company, which is unheard of in a logistics company. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but that’s our goal and why we are working with the university. It would be fantastic if our city could lead the way in reducing the supply chain’s carbon footprint.”
Professor Lenny Koh, Director of The University of Sheffield’s AREC and also a Co-Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Sustainability Partnership for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “Our aim is to play a lead role in creating the sustainable supply chain of the future using the world leading research capability here in both universities in Sheffield in this field.
This is very timely given the recent launch of the Sheffield Green Commitment Report which aims to build a sustainable, smart and competitive future city. I believe productivity and efficiency can be accelerated by exploiting the research and innovation at the universities, working in partnership with industry and government bodies.”
Martin McKervey, Partner at Nabarro LLP and Private Sector Lead of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s infrastructure group and the Transport for the North, said: “This ambition is very much aligned with the visions of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s infrastructure group and the Transport for the North.
Integrating sustainability and its related research and innovation capabilities into our visions will help ascertain that our infrastructure and transport master plan for the UK, in particular the North as part of the Northern Powerhouse project be so much more compelling, especially under the climate from pressure of protecting the natural capital and environment, and of balancing the need to connect and compete in a global stage.”