Freight Energy Forum

The Freight Energy Forum facilitates energy infrastructure to support the freight sector achieve net zero.

A partnership between industry and government, the Freight Energy Forum is led by the Department for Transport (DfT). It brings together senior representatives from the freight and energy sectors and other government departments (OGDs) to support the freight sector’s transition to net zero by 2050.

The Freight Energy Forum is particularly concerned with energy infrastructure and supply across the whole freight sector including road, rail, maritime and aviation freight, and warehousing and distribution.

Background

In June 2022, DfT published a long-term cross-modal plan co-developed with the freight sector. Future of Freight: a long-term plan set out an approach to deliver a freight sector that is cost-efficient, reliable, resilient, environmentally sustainable and valued by society. The plan identified as one of its 5 priority areas “enabling the transition to net zero” and a commitment to establishing a Freight Energy Forum.

Membership

The members are:

Chair

The Freight Energy Forum is chaired by the Logistics and Borders director within the DfT responsible for overseeing the Future of Freight programme.

Industry

Senior representatives from the freight and energy sectors will form the standard membership, as follows:

Logistics providers, freight forwarders and warehousing

Association of International Courier and Express Services
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Cold Chain Federation

Energy network operators

Energy Networks Association

Energy companies, suppliers, generators and service providers

Energy UK

Independent network owners and operators

Independent Networks Association

Logistics UK

Energy transmission and distribution

National Grid

Energy regulator

Ofgem

Road freight

Road Haulage Association

Motor industry

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Government departments

Senior officials from the DfT’s Future of Freight team and other modal teams will attend the Freight Energy Forum as standard. The following government departments will be invited to attend specific meetings as the need arises:

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
DfT agencies, such as National Highways and Network Rail
UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB)

Other

Other individuals and organisations may be added to the Freight Energy Forum or invited to contribute to its work at the request of the membership or the chair. This may include, but is not limited to, academia, senior representatives from relevant businesses and organisations or OGDs (including local government representation).

Terms of reference

Responsibilities

The Freight Energy Forum has a collective responsibility to work collaboratively to ensure an evidence-based and solutions-focused approach is taken to address the short, medium and long-term challenges in the provision of zero-carbon energy infrastructure for the freight sector.

The Chair has a responsibility to:

set direction for the Forum
build and maintain momentum from the membership in developing and implementing the objectives of the Forum
oversee progress and encourage inclusive discussion
facilitate the escalation of issues to the Freight Council, as required

All attendees have a responsibility to:

provide data and evidence relating to the challenges faced in their area in relation to zero carbon energy infrastructure and potential opportunities
report on progress relating to actions that fall within relevant areas of responsibility
actively participate in discussions, providing alternative points of view and identifying solutions to issues raised
assess and consider the effectiveness of progress on objectives, providing challenge to ensure outcomes and output are of a high standard
promote the work of the Forum to stakeholders to build confidence in and raise awareness of developments around zero carbon energy infrastructure

Governance arrangements

Purpose and role

The Freight Energy Forum is an expert advisory body. Its purpose is to address the long-term challenges and provide solutions for the provision of zero-carbon energy infrastructure within the freight sector. The Forum can determine its own priorities and undertake any activity within its Terms of Reference to achieve its stated purpose. The Forum may identify issues and supporting evidence to inform policy development. Any approach to policy and decisions therein will be the responsibility of the Transport Secretary and DfT ministers.

Operating procedure

In the absence of the chair, a deputy chair may be appointed. Any requests to expand the membership should be agreed by the Forum, with final approval from the chair and secretariat.

Frequency and length of meetings

The Forum will meet quarterly. Meetings of the Forum will normally last 90 minutes. The Forum will be evaluated annually, as part of a 3-year cycle in which the reviews will be led by industry and the DfT.

Relationship with other governance structures

The Forum will sit under the Freight Council and report to it via strategic updates provided by the chair of the Forum. It is the responsibility of the Forum to drive forward action and not defer to the Freight Council. The Forum will consider any energy infrastructure evidence that emerges from other government forums including, but not limited to Freight Council, Jet Zero Council (JZC) and relevant internal working groups.

Review

The terms of reference will be reviewed at the first meeting of the Forum and, thereafter, on an annual basis.