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The SWA will focus on distribution fleets – with a particular focus on hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) and electric vehicle (EV) technologies – in this first phase of the Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry Project. The environmental impact of members’ cold storage facilities will also be researched ready for phase two which will look at energy and buildings.
The association has recruited a graduate from Strathclyde University for an initial 12-week placement to carry out the first phase of the project. Jessica Palmer will investigate areas of high pollution and energy consumption within the wholesale industry, with a particular focus on distribution fleets and cold storage facilities, identifying and recommending how these could be made more sustainable and environmentally efficient.
Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “While there are various decarbonisation projects in place in Scotland, the SWA – through our Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry Project – has the opportunity to be the first organisation in the UK to investigate and implement the private commercial use of HFC technology and/or EV technology at a sector-wide level.
“As a result, the Scottish wholesale industry could become Scotland’s first ‘commercial testbed’, particularly for HFC. Carrying out this project on an industry scale will generate bigger benefits to our members than if they do it alone – not only in time and cost savings, as we are conducting the research on their behalf, but also in hopefully being able to attract funding.”
The SWA will be working closely with its affiliate member the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association. The project outputs will also help identify where investment and infrastructure requirements should be directed by the manufacturers and developers of those alternative fuels and vehicles.
Smith added: “The project will also make recommendations to the Scottish government, and enterprise organisations, for financial investment in helping the wholesale food and drink supply chain transition to greener technologies.”
In addition, the SWA will be pushing for members to get access to some of the £109m Scottish government funding set aside for business investment in this technology. Meanwhile, the new Scottish National Investment Bank has been tasked with offering preferential investment to companies looking to use greener technology.
