Musket Transport is committed to contributing to a net zero future. Spearheaded by our Corporate Communications Officer, Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov, we are proud supporters of the Mississauga Climate Leaders Program (MCLP). This initiative, in partnership with the City of Mississauga, Mississauga Board of Trade, and Partners in Project Green, aims to rally private and public sector leaders to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY
Sophia recently shared our commitment to the environment and community as a contributor to the workshop, “Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Disclosure and Reporting”. She highlighted that our environmental and philanthropic projects are influenced by industry and economic realities, and tied to the core aspect of our business.
OUR GOALS FOR 2024
For 2024, Musket Transport has set ambitious goals.
- Attend and/or speak at ESG related events within our community or industry.
- Promote training opportunities to economically disadvantaged demographics and/or underrepresented demographics.
- Cut down on fuel waste at on-site fueling locations through our vendor partnership.
- Provide new training opportunities to mechanics through vendor partnerships.
- Provide specialized driver training to support drivers switching lanes to remain profitable.
- Continue roll-out of new fuel-efficient Volvo VNL cabs and invest in new pumps to support our environmental goals.
- Select a reporting tool similar to Climate Smart that will be accepted by the largest group of customers.
- Perform site visits with Credit Valley Conservation at two other Mississauga facilities to identify planting event possibilities.
- Develop stronger relations with the City of Burlington and Halton Conservation Authority to collaborate on ESG goals for our Burlington expansion.
- In-progress work on creating a unique program in partnership with Salvation Army targeting at-risk youth in foster care.
THE INHERENT ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS OF TRUCKING COMPANIES
Most people don’t realize the inherent environmental friendliness of trucking companies. It’s in our best interest to reduce fuel consumption and tire wear and tear, as these are our major expenditures. The public often views us as significant polluters due to the size and visibility of our trucks. However, they are unaware of the advancements in technology, particularly fuel-efficient engines and truck simulators, that have drastically reduced emissions.
THE SLOW ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN OUR INDUSTRY
The slow adoption of electric vehicles or other alternative fuels in the industry often makes headlines. But the primary obstacle is the lack of availability for most long-haul carriers as the infrastructure is not yet in place. We are confident that technology will overcome this challenge in time.
OUR FOCUS
Our focus on the ‘E’ in ESG is reflected in our efforts to become better stewards of our land. We’re partnering with organizations like Credit Valley Conservation to reintroduce pollinator habitats through planting projects. Our commitment to the ‘S’ in ESG is evident in our efforts to uplift people from their economic realities. We target specific demographics that are not traditionally drawn to the industry and work with local organizations to remove financial barriers of entry.
OUR STANCE ON GREENWASHING
We are cautious of “greenwashing”. We will only make investments that have a tangible impact on the environment or society and that make business sense. We will continue to monitor the ESG reporting systems available and consider which will be most applicable to Musket. We are committed to tracking our data and emissions internally while we consider our international customers and our local community members.
OUR FLEET AND FUEL EFFICIENCY COMMITMENT
Musket has maintained a fleet that is exclusively made of Volvo vehicles for more than a quarter of a century. We have a strong relationship with our dealership, Vision Truck Group, which allows us to ensure that we always purchase the most fuel-efficient engine cabs that the market has to offer at any given time. In 2016, we saw a significant reduction in fuel use, largely thanks to this strategy of prioritizing fuel efficiency. This achievement didn’t go unnoticed, with Climate Smart and the Pembina Institute both recognizing our success. From 2016 to 2019, we used Climate Smart to generate annual reports on our greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2019, we’ve been keeping track of this data internally, using tools such as GEOTAB’s electronic logging devices, fuel expenditures, Smart Way required reporting, and technical information provided by Volvo.
A WORK IN PROGRESS
We want to stress that our ESG efforts are a work in progress, and there is always room for improvement. We aim to formalize the ‘G’ part of ESG by incorporating our mandates into our financial departments and performance evaluations. ESG needs to be a part of our corporate governance.
Musket Transport’s commitment to a net zero future is evident in our active participation in initiatives like the Mississauga Climate Leaders Program, our ambitious goals for 2024, and our ongoing focus on environmental and social stewardship. We are committed to making investments that have a tangible and positive impact on the environment and society. We also recognize that our ESG efforts will evolve into the future, and we are dedicated to continuous improvement and growth in this area. As we move forward, we will continue to foster a culture of responsibility and innovation, ensuring that ESG goals are intricately woven into our core values and business practices.