250% CLIMATE POSITIVE
Since the beginning of 2024 Freight Brokers has increased its offsetting level from 200% to 250%.cFreight Brokers believes it is the only courier in the world to offer such a climate-positive service.
Freight Brokers founder Charles Keisner began the carbon offsetting strategy early in 2019, initially offering 100% offsetting. That was increased regularly to today’s 250%, utilising a United Nations-sponsored programme that is fully explained here.
In 2022 Freight Brokers was certified as a B Corporation in recognition of its commitment to social and environmental standards. Family-run and based in north London, Freight Brokers specialises in providing international courier services for fashion businesses and related companies in sectors such as textiles, footwear, bespoke tailoring and beauty.
The ongoing attention on the environmental impact of the fashion sector makes Freight Brokers’ unique 250% carbon offsetting a new standard and marks it out as a leader in the overdue shift towards greater accountability and transparency across the industry.
IMPACT REPORT 22/23
2022/23 was a big year for FREIGHT BROKERS and our joining of the B Corp movement.
Certifying as a B Corp signified a dual commitment - both legal and ethical - to prioritising environmental and societal responsibility. This dedication is now included in our registered articles of association at Companies House.
Click below to read the full report on what we have done and how we hope to evolve as an environmentally conscious business.
More than 10m kg of CO2 offset by fashion firms with Freight Brokers
More than 10 million kg of CO2 emissions caused by fashion companies’ global air shipments have been offset by Freight Brokers, the London-based specialist courier to the fashion industry.
In just four years, Freight Brokers has achieved this impressive milestone by increasing the offsetting from an initial 100% to today’s 200%.
The family-owned company’s unique approach of 200% climate-positive shipping has set a new industry standard and serves as a shining example of how companies can prioritise eco-friendliness without compromising customer service.
Freight Brokers has partnered with the United Nations carbon offset platform to neutralise CO2 emissions by purchasing carbon credits and contributing to climate protection projects. This partnership has allowed the company to offset twice the amount of CO2 emissions generated by each shipment.
The result? A bespoke climate-positive shipping service that benefits not only the environment but also their customers and the economy as a whole.
In September 2022 Freight Brokers was certified as a B Corporation in recognition of its efforts. This much-sought-after certification serves as proof of the company's dedication to social and environmental responsibility, transparency, and accountability. It showcases the family-run firm’s commitment to creating a more sustainable planet, a vision that is an integral part of its mission statement.
Freight Brokers’ climate-positive shipping approach has transformed the way businesses in fashion and related sectors approach shipping, with an increasing number of clients adopting the eco-friendly services.
The unique climate-positive stickers the company provides serve as a symbol of a client's partnership with Freight Brokers and the shared commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
In a world where sustainability is of the utmost importance, Freight Brokers has positioned itself as an industry leader, inspiring others to follow suit. By offsetting 10m kg of CO2 emissions, it has shown taking care of the environment is not just a moral imperative, but also a competitive advantage in the fashion sector.
200% CLIMATE POSITIVE
Urban Outfitters, Tommy Hilfiger, Christopher Raeburn, Calvin Klein, Rupert Sanderson, Billionaire Boys Club, New Look and Regatta are among the prominent fashion brands and retailers that have just dramatically improved their carbon footprint and sustainability performance.
They are among the 300-plus fashion businesses that are offsetting by a massive 200% all carbon emissions caused by their shipments of parcels internationally and domestically, thanks to partnering with bespoke courier firm Freight Brokers.
Since the beginning of the year the London-based specialist shipper has increased its offsetting level from 150% to 200%. Its target now is to reach 250% offsetting by 2024.
Freight Brokers believes it is the only courier in the world to offer such a climate-positive service.
"We have worked with Freight Brokers for many years; their service is second to none and we benefit from their discounted rates negotiated with all major recognised carriers. They are also proving to be an example to other carrier services with their commitment to sustainability through their climate positive shipping ensuring each shipment carried on behalf of RÆBURN and their wider clients receives the appropriate contribution to the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform neutralising the shipment’s CO2 emissions through the purchase of carbon credits which all aligns with our own ethos and efforts to change the world through responsible design."
Christopher Raeburn
Freight Brokers founder Charles Keisner began the carbon offsetting strategy early in 2019, initially offering 100% offsetting. That was increased regularly to today’s 200%, utilising a United Nations-sponsored programme that is fully explained here.
Last year Freight Brokers was certified as a B Corporation in recognition of its commitment to social and environmental standards. Family-run and based in north London, Freight Brokers specialises in providing international courier services for fashion businesses and related companies in sectors such as textiles, footwear, bespoke tailoring and beauty.
The ongoing attention on the environmental impact of the fashion sector makes Freight Brokers’ unique 200% carbon offsetting a new standard and marks it out as a leader in the overdue shift towards greater accountability and transparency across the industry.
FOLLOW US AND HELP TO PLANT THE GREAT GREEN WALL ACROSS AFRICA
At Freight Brokers, we plan to start a new initiative in March 2022:
Every month we will plant 100 trees in the Great Green Wall in the name of one of our customers.
So by the end of 2022 we will have planted 1,000 trees in the name of 10 different members of the Freight Brokers family. Follow us on Instagram to be in with a chance of having 100 trees planted in the name of you company (Proof of Certificate provided).
If you are one of our winners, you can then spread the word to your customers of your generous donation to the Great Green Wall in Africa.
THE GREAT GREEN WALL
The Great Green Wall is an African-led movement with an epic ambition to grow a 7,000km natural wonder of the World across the entire width of Africa.
A decade in and roughly 15% underway, the initiative is already bringing life back to Africa’s degraded landscapes at an unprecedented scale, providing food security, jobs and a reason to stay for the millions who live along its path.
The Wall promises to be a compelling solution to the many urgent threats not only facing the African continent but the global community as a whole – notably climate change, drought, famine, conflict and migration.
Once complete, the Great Green Wall will be the largest living structure on the planet, three times the size of the Great Barrier Reef.
Running from Djibouti to Senegal, The Great Green Wall is 7,000km long and 16km deep, longer than the distance between London and New York and wider than the distance between London and Windsor. The Great Green Wall creates a barrier against climate change running across the Sahel region. It forms a transitional zone between the arid Sahara desert to the north and the belt of humid savannas to the south.
This initiative will be running alongside our 150% offsetting and will be in addition to our goal of being 250% climate positive by 2025.
NOW 150% CLIMATE POSITIVE
Since March 2019 we have been the only courier service in the world that can promise carbon neutrality, at no extra cost, to our clients.
Same Keen Prices. Same Great Service. No Carbon Footprint.
Working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, we are now offsetting 150% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
At Freight Brokers we don’t ask “Are we doing enough?” We ask “What more can we do?” That is why we have a mission to push our green initiative even further by committing to offset 250% of the carbon that our deliveries emit by 2025.
We invite all of our friends to join in this programme by visiting offset.climateneutralnow.org and registering directly with the United Nations in order to make the other areas of your business as sustainable as your shipping with Freight Brokers.
Click here to see the projects that we are supporting and click here to see the CER’s that we have generated.
5 million kgs of carbon
Since March 2019 we have offset over 5 million kgs of carbon.
The equivalent of neutralising the annual emissions of over 1,087,400 cars.
See our CERS here.
ELECTRIC FUTURE
DHL Express shapes future for sustainable aviation with the order of first-ever all-electric cargo planes from Eviation.
HL Express and Eviation, the Seattle-area based global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, today write aviation history in announcing that DHL is the first to order 12 fully electric Alice eCargo planes from Eviation. With this engagement DHL aims to set up an unparalleled electric Express network and make a pioneering step into a sustainable aviation future. Eviation's Alice is the world's leading fully electric aircraft, which enables airlines - both cargo and passenger - to operate a zero-emission fleet. Eviation expects to deliver the Alice electric aircraft to DHL Express in 2024.
Alice can be flown by a single pilot and will carry 1,200 kilograms. It will require 30 minutes or less to charge per flight hour and have a maximum range of up to 815 kilometers (440 nautical miles). Alice will operate in all environments currently serviced by piston and turbine aircraft. Alice's advanced electric motors have fewer moving parts to increase reliability and reduce maintenance costs. Its operating software constantly monitors flight performance to ensure optimal efficiency.
BFC Changemakers Prize Nomination
The BFC Changemakers Prize in partnership with Swarovski is a new project which aims to discover and celebrate individuals within the fashion industry, the unsung stars, who go above and beyond, making outstanding contributions and striving for Positive Change. The 2021 prize is open to anyone working within the fashion industry, initially anywhere in the UK and focuses on celebrating individuals, championing inclusivity and innovative thinking.
We’re proud that our MD Charles Keisner has been nominated for this prestigious award.
British Footwear Association
We are proud to have become the official logistics partner of the British Footwear Association.
With members ranging from the smallest artisan shoe-makers to the largest and best known brands in the world, the British Footwear Association’s reach and exposure is significant. Through their membership, links to Government and internal resources, they provide expertise, support, advice, guidance and insight across a wide range of topics, ensuring they help each and every member achieve their goals.
Read more about them here www.britishfootwearassociation.co.uk
Messing about on the river
Our partner DHL has launched the first 21st Century riverboat parcel delivery service, which aims to ease congestion and provide a reliable and efficient way of transporting deliveries across the capital.
The riverboat parcel delivery service has been introduced as part of DHL’s commitment to using blended transport modes to improve access to urban areas and is an important step towards exploring the use of the river for small scale freight transport.
“With traffic and poor air quality becoming an increasing problem in urban areas like London, we’re committed to finding a better blend of transport. This new and unique service, combining electric vehicles, riverboat and last-mile bikes creates fast and efficient access across the capital.”
– Ian Wilson, Chief Executive UK&I, DHL Express
Working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, Freight Brokers are now offsetting 125% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
July Climate Positive Statement
In July 2020 we offset: 171,026 kgs of carbon to account for 125% of all emmissions.
We’re proud to work with sustainable brands who, like us are embracing a green agenda. Working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, we are offsetting 125% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
OVER 2.9 MILLION KGS OF CARBON HAVE BEEN OFFSET BY FREIGHT BROKERS SINCE MARCH 2019.
That’s the equivalent emmissions created from charging over 1 billion mobile phones or driving over 26 million miles (about a third of the way to the sun!)
Please read about our projects here.
Sustainable Fashion Awards 2020
We’re pleased to announce that members of the Freight Brokers family won awards at the inaugural Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards 2020.
Congratulations to both Craghoppers and Raeburn who won sustainable brand of the year in their respective categories.
The Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards 2020 recognise the strides that are being made in reducing the industry’s environmental impact and creating fairer working conditions across the supply chain. They range from awards for brands and retailers of the year, through to Best Supply Chain Initiative and Best Use of Technology for Good. They were judged by an independent panel of experts in fashion retail and sustainability.
We’re proud to work with sustainable brands who, like us are embracing a green agenda. Working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, we are offsetting 125% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
We’re doubling our capacity
Due to the success of our free shipping for the NHS campaign, we have decided to double our capacity to shipping 2000 free of charge parcels per month. The offer is open for all UK-based manufacturers producing PPE for the NHS and other frontline care services.
For every shipment sent we will require an image of proof of contents which we will be posting to our social media, spreading the joint efforts between Freight Brokers and the Freight Brokers family.
“Given the response so far from such a wide range of UK-based companies, we felt we had to increase our capacity, once again on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Ben Keisner, Sales Director.
As part of our five-year commitment to sustainability, the carbon emissions of all the consignments are offset by 125%, making the shipments climate positive.
Please contact either Ellie at ellie@freightbrokersuk.com or Louis at louis@freightbrokersuk.com to arrange this.
Stay safe and healthy,
The Freight Brokers Team
FREE NHS SHIPPING
Calling all designers turning production to support the efforts of the NHS!!
Freight Brokers are committed to sending out a total of 1000 parcels a month to the NHS on your behalf.
If you are providing any essential products for the NHS we will gladly ship these items for free domestically.
For every shipment sent we will require an image of proof of contents which we will be posting to our social media, spreading the joint efforts between Freight Brokers and the Freight Brokers family.
Please contact either Ellie at ellie@freightbrokersuk.com or Louis at louis@freightbrokersuk.com to arrange this. Keep in mind this is on a first come first served basis so get shipping!
Stay safe and healthy,
The Freight Brokers Team
coronavirus update
At Freight Brokers we are monitoring the global situation closely and taking steps to protect our employees and keep the business running as normally as we can. We are committed to continue serving our valued customers as best as possible.
We will continue to support all our customers in this difficult time and will keep you fully updated as the situation develops. Should you need further information, have any concerns or queries, please feel free to give us a call.
We are operating to and within impacted areas as local conditions and restrictions allow. Currently Hubei province in China is the only location which is completely suspended.
Investment Projects
As you know at Freight Brokers by working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, we are offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
For the last year we have been investing in eight different projects world-wide and going forward, we would love to get your input, if you have a few minutes spare.
Take a look at projects currently offered by the UN here: offset.climateneutralnow.org/allprojects and see if there are any that particularly appeal. If there are, please drop us a line and we will be sure to add them to our list of investment projects in the coming year.
Sustainability is Firmly in Fashion
Within the fashion industry there are clear and important concerns about carbon neutrality and sustainability.
But at Freight Brokers we’re not just looking to follow the trends we are setting them.
Early in 2019 Freight Brokers decided to embrace a greener agenda. Since March 2019 we have been the only courier service in the world that can promise carbon neutrality, at no extra cost, to our clients.
Same Keen Prices. Same Great Service. No Carbon Footprint.
Working with our partners, the United Nations and DHL, we are offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions that our deliveries generate by investing in projects in developing countries around the world. All these projects reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
To match our new sustainable offer we have a new brand identity and website.
The site also contains full details of our new bespoke booking and billing system, which we will be rolling out in the coming months called our world.
We are also pleased to introduce the second design of our carbon neutral sticker collection. Used on your packages, they will let your customers know their delivery has been made 100% carbon neutral.
These stickers will be arriving in the mail in the next few weeks.
Embrace the carbon neutral revolution with us.
Brexit Tariffs
The British Government has announced, that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, temporary import duties will be applied to certain goods including fashion and textiles.
The British Government has announced, that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, temporary import duties will be applied to certain goods including fashion and textiles.
The tariffs, which would be in place for 12 months, apply 8-12% duties on around 140 fashion and textile lines, extending the list that was previously announced earlier this year. In the event of no deal, the tariffs would come into effect for a year whilst the government carries out public consultation on permanent tariffs and the government has also stated that it will closely monitor the effects of the temporary regime on the UK and UK business.
A full list of goods can be found here and the Government announcement can be read here.
Freight Brokers advises our clients to set up a Deferment account with HMRC for duty and taxes to be charged to for any shipments coming into the UK from EU countries.
To set one up, please go to the government account here:
Set up a HMRC deferment account
For our clients who are importing from the EU, Freight Brokers recommend registering for a TSP account with HMRC to make importing easier. Please refer to the below Web link for further information.
Register for a TSP account with HMRC
As ever If you require more help or assistance, please contact the Freight Brokers Team.