Menzies Distribution has become one of only a handful of companies to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard for the third consecutive time, putting the business in a ‘pioneering position’.

The Standard, which was launched in 2008, is a mark of excellence given to organisations committed to reducing carbon emissions and is assessed every two years.

After its latest assessment, Menzies Distribution was shown to have reduced its carbon footprint on an absolute basis by a further 2.3 per cent since 2011 – no mean feat for a company which has a fleet of 1,750 vehicles which cover a combined 123,000 miles each day.

Darran Messem, managing director – Certification at the Carbon Trust, said: “Menzies Distribution has managed to retain the Carbon Trust Standard since January 2009, showing a tremendous commitment to reducing emissions every year. In a business like logistics, where efficiency is so important and covering thousands of miles is the norm, then this is no easy task. This is an impressive achievement which sets an excellent example to customers and the industry in general.”

Menzies Distribution’s managing director, David McIntosh, said: “We are delighted that our ongoing efforts to reduce our impact on the environment have been recognised again. We were among the first to be awarded the Standard when it was first launched in 2008 and we are fully committed to keeping it.

“We will continue to assess our operations across the UK over the next two years to ensure we are as efficient and environmentally sound as we can be.”

The Carbon Trust Standard is assessed by independent third-party assessors and certifies an organisation is measuring, managing and reducing its carbon footprint year-on-year.