The road freight industry plays a pivotal role in the global economy, enabling the movement of goods to meet the demands of businesses and consumers. However, the environmental footprint of this essential sector is undeniable, with greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. To address this issue, there is a pressing need to reduce CO2 emissions from road freight and implement methods to measure the climate impact of individual shipments.
It starts with measuring Climate Impact from Individual Shipments
We believe the starting point is to know the CO2 impact on a single shipment. With that in place it allows you to work with individual shipments or aggregate and work with your entire network slicing it by trade lane, region, market or division. So where to start and what can you do to start to understand your CO2 footprint?
Carbon Calculators: Many organizations have developed carbon calculators that estimate the emissions associated with a particular shipment. These calculators take into account factors like distance, mode of transport, and fuel consumption.
Telematics and IoT: Advanced telematics systems and IoT (Internet of Things) sensors can provide real-time data on a shipment’s environmental impact. This data includes fuel consumption, speed, and route information, allowing for precise emissions calculations.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): LCA evaluates the environmental impact of a product or service over its entire lifecycle. This method assesses emissions from manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life disposal, providing a comprehensive view of a shipment’s climate impact.
Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Blockchain technology can be used to transparently record and verify emissions data, ensuring the accuracy of environmental claims.
Government Regulations: Many governments are implementing regulations that require companies to measure and report their emissions. Compliance with these regulations necessitates detailed measurement methods.
Third-Party Verification: Companies can engage third-party auditors to verify the accuracy of their emissions data, adding credibility to environmental claims.
What are some key actions that can be taken to reduce CO2 Emissions in Road Freight?
Vehicle Efficiency: Transitioning to more fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles is a primary method of reducing CO2 emissions in road freight. Electric and hybrid trucks, as well as vehicles powered by alternative fuels like natural gas, have gained traction in the industry.
Optimized Routes: Improved route planning and load optimization can reduce unnecessary mileage and emissions. Real-time traffic data, advanced GPS systems, and route optimization software help in achieving this.
Eco-Driving Practices: Training and incentivizing drivers to adopt eco-driving practices, such as smooth acceleration and deceleration, can lead to significant fuel savings and emissions reductions.
Load Consolidation: Consolidating shipments whenever possible reduces the number of vehicles on the road and promotes efficiency. LTL (Less Than Truckload) and shared transportation services are examples of this approach.
Alternative Transport Modes: Encouraging the use of alternative transportation modes, like rail and intermodal transport, for certain types of freight can substantially reduce CO2 emissions.
Sustainable Fuels: Promoting the use of sustainable biofuels and other cleaner alternatives can help reduce emissions from road freight operations.
Supply Chain Visibility: Enhanced supply chain visibility and collaboration with partners allow for better coordination, reducing inefficiencies and emissions throughout the supply chain.
Conclusion – measure and act
Reducing CO2 emissions in road freight is a multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of technological advancements, operational improvements, and industry-wide cooperation. To measure the climate impact of individual shipments, a range of methods and tools are available, each with its own strengths and limitations. By adopting these methods and embracing a culture of environmental responsibility, the road freight industry can make significant strides in mitigating its impact on the climate and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Within Logivity services sustainability has been a key cornerstone in the design of the service capabilities. In all our services we provide you with CO2 measurement on every single shipment allowing you to act with a sustainability mindset already at booking of a transport. As your transports have been executed you have access to your full CO2 statistics allowing you to be in control of your transport sustainability report but also to be able to take tactical and strategic decisions to secure your supply chain is built for a future where the movement of goods doesn’t take a toll on the world. For us and for generations to come.