The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has launched the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) Awards for 2014, developed to celebrate green leaders in the freight industry.

The awards will recognise the efforts of individual LCRS members to reduce their carbon emissions from freight activity.

The categories are, best fuel efficient operation (sponsored by Bridgestone), best use of alternative low carbon fuels and technologies (sponsored by Iveco), most innovative fleet management, breakthrough in modal shift and leadership in logistics carbon reduction.

The LCRS Awards will be presented at FTA's annual Logistics Carbon Reduction Conference, to be held in May 2014.

Rachael Dillon, FTA's climate change policy manager said: "Due to the success of the inaugural LCRS Awards this year, we are delighted to be launching new Awards for 2014, providing an excellent opportunity for fleet operators to earn recognition for efforts that they are undertaking to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. 

"Additionally, the Awards signal to customers, stakeholders, policymakers and the public that the freight industry is making significant efforts to contribute to solving the climate change challenge."

Bridgestone believes that the issue of fuel efficiency is more crucial to commercial vehicle operators today than ever, which is why the agreement to put the company's name alongside the Best Fuel Efficient Operation award is so significant.

Product and marketing manager Andy Mathias said: "Partnering this category is extremely significant for Bridgestone, as is the long-term association with the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme as a whole.

"We are constantly striving to find ways to measure and reduce carbon emissions in the logistics sector and to offer compelling fuel efficient products to our customers as a result.  We look forward to recognising other top performing businesses in the industry at the LCRS Awards 2014 and are proud to be putting our name alongside their commendable efforts."

Martin Flach, product director at Iveco UK said: "We're naturally very proud to be partnering with FTA once again to recognise those fleets leading the way in adopting greener transport solutions. Reducing carbon impact lies at the core of our business; we've been helping fleets to reduce their dependency on diesel for many years, and today Iveco offers a wider choice of vehicles powered by natural gas, pure electric traction and hybrid engines than any other commercial vehicle manufacturer in the UK."

Any company which is an LCRS member with a green freight initiative worthy of an award is invited to enter.  LCRS members may enter one or more of the award categories.