Freight Energy Forum

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

The Freight Energy Forum is led by the Department for Transport (DfT). It brings together senior representatives from the freight and energy sectors and government to support the freight sector’s transition to net zero.

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.

Membership

The members are:

Chair

The Freight Energy Forum is chaired by a senior civil servant within DfT.

Industry and government

Senior representatives from the freight and energy sectors and government form the standing membership:

Freight sector

Amazon
Association of International Courier and Express Services (AICES)
British Ports Association
British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA)
Cold Chain Federation
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT UK)
DHL
Logistics UK
Rail Freight Group (RFG)
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG)
UK Warehousing Association (UKWA)

Energy sector

BP
Energy Networks Association
Energy UK
Future System Operator (FSO)
Independent Networks Association (INA)
National Grid
SSE

Government

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
Department for Transport (DfT)
Highways England
Network Rail
Northern Ireland Executive
Ofgem
Scottish Government
UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB)
Welsh Government

Other

Other 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, businesses, trade associations, other government departments (OGDs) and agencies and regional bodies.

Terms of reference

Role

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.

Work programme

Industry is leading the Freight Energy Forum’s agreed initial work programme to:

analyse future energy demand across the freight sector
review the barriers to investment and installation of energy infrastructure
contribute to the development of grid connection guidance for the freight sector

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

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 Secretary of State for Transport and DfT ministers.

Operating procedure

In the absence of the chair, a deputy chair may be appointed. An annual review of the membership will be conducted by the chair who has the discretion to remove members who have failed to attend three consecutive meetings of the Forum and approve new member requests.

Frequency and length of meetings

The Forum will meet 3 times a year. 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 consider any energy infrastructure evidence that emerges from other government groups, councils or forums.

Review

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