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'Softworld' debut for new tool that reduces CO2 20 February 2008

A major new carbon optimisation tool that has already resulted in a 28% reduction in carbon emissions coupled with a 9% decrease in costs in ‘real-life’ proving trials, is due to make its formal debut at Softworld at the NEC in March.

 Developer Barloworld Optimus is set to unveil CAST-CO2 the latest addition to its world-leading software tools stable as the critical issues of carbon emissions and corporate social responsibility take on a massive new urgency in the wake of mounting global pressure to reduce carbon emission.

The natural successor to its world-leading forerunner CAST-FE (Footprint Estimator), CAST CO2 draws on almost four years frontline experience of carbon calculation projects with some of the world’s leading industrial names, extending well-proven technology not only to calculating carbon emission, but also to mapping-out ‘best-case’ supply chain optimisation in terms of carbon footprint.

Featuring the ability to factor-in carbon while optimising complete supply chain networks, CAST CO2 is dedicated to dramatically reducing emissions in supply chains, incorporating standard emissions factor data for different vehicles, modes of transport, warehouse types, and energy types.

In addition, the program also offers the ability to look at any number of ‘what if?’ scenarios by calculating the carbon content of all potential transportation modes, including multi-drop dedicated transportation fleets.

According to co-developer Fraser Ironside, global pressure on companies to reduce carbon emission is on a sharp upwards curve – and, he says, the only realistic way of testing and predicting the impact of alternative supply chains is through effective modelling.

“The starting point is carbon calculation and we’ve already established our leadership in that respect. Once you have the handle on that, the logical progression is carbon reduction which essentially amounts to a trade-off between the true costs of air/sea/trunk transport against the carbon costs of each scenario”.

 He added that with corporations likely to be heavily taxed on their carbon output ‘sooner rather than later’, the time to take action is now: already, the UK Climate Bill demands a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050; the EU has an agenda to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2020; most countries in the world now view global warming as their biggest or second biggest concern over the next six months (Source: Nielsen on-line).

At the same time the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Sir David King recently described climate change as ‘the most severe problem that we are facing today’.

 Says Barloworld’s Global Business Development Director: “...among global initiatives currently being hammered-out in the wake of the Kyoto protocol and more recently the Bali summit, issues including Carbon Trading and moves to incorporate carbon emissions on labelling are all set to drive carbon reduction to the forefront of corporation priorities over the next two years.    The stark fact is that companies are about to be faced with a ‘do or die’ decision on carbon reduction – the impact of which will be felt from the smallest concerns upwards”.

“Tackling greenhouse gas emission is the big issue of the day and the onus is going to fall on businesses to act or suffer the consequences.

 “Designing a supply chain to not only minimise operational costs, but also to minimise carbon emissions is the goal that all companies should now be considering, and tools like CAST-CO2 represent the only realistic way ahead and the sooner they take on board the sound business sense of embracing the latest technology – typically highlighted by the startling conclusion that just taking one lorry off the road for a year is equal to the cost of the software – the sooner they will reap the benefits”.

Barloworld Optimus is offering the new-look tool as an optional module its world-beating CAST supply chain modelling software – combining supply chain modelling and environmental impact into a single software solution.

Despite its official launch at Softworld in March, Colgate-Palmolive has already signed-up for licences for one of its US subsidiaries, while Markus Schmidt, Director of Supply Chain Development for Belron – already the world’s leading automotive replacement glass provider – is due to make a formal presentation on the company’s high-success association with Barloworld Optimus at Softworld.

The $2 billion turnover company has also bought licences ahead of the trade show launch on Stand 214 at Softworld, running from March 12th and 13th at the NEC Pavilion.