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An Inconvenient Truck?

CILT Guide to CO2 Emissions from Freight

Executive Summary

Responding effectively to the challenges posed by climate change is set to become the single most important issue for freight operators.

The Climate Change Act, passed in November 2008, marks a step change in Government policy. A commitment has been made to reduce CO2 emissions, compared to 1990 levels, by at least 26% before 2020, and 80% before 2050. As one of the largest industrial emitters of CO2, the freight transport sector will be required to change its behaviour considerably. The scale of that change can be gauged, not just by the very challengingUKwidecommitment made by the Government, but by the fact that environmental programmes are less developed in the transport industry than in other sectors. Where as emissions from all other major industries have fallen compared to 1990, those from freight transport have increased. Clearly, when it sets individual sector targets, the Government will earmark freight transport as an industry which can make a significant contribution to its overall emission reduction goals.

Investment in new engine technologies and more efficient vehicle design will provide some solutions, but technology alone will not be sufficient to meet the industry’s targets. Significant changes will also need to be made to the way businesses are managed. Data will need to be collected on environmental performance and used to make effective revisions to operational practices. Changes to the way freight is transported by road will be required to reduce mileage and improve vehicle loadings. There is also a strong case for modal shift to less polluting forms of transport. In addition, road pricing is expected to be introduced more widely, the result of the recent referendum inManchester notwithstanding. And it is highly likely that transport will be
included in carbon trading schemes.

The new demands placed on freight operators will be uncomfortable in some cases, but in principle they are supported by CILT. This is because freight operators have not acted to cut emissions with the degree of urgency that the science on climate change suggests is needed. Furthermore, there is actually a very strong business case for making some of the necessary management and operational changes voluntarily, as these will improve business efficiency, and reduce fuel consumption and costs.

However, while there is an environmental imperative for the freight sector to change, it is vital that the very significant contribution freight operators make to the UK economy is recognised explicitly by the government during this process. This recognition should take the form of amendments to the tax system, and where required, subsidies to incentivise and enable operators to make changes with the necessary speed.

If the right framework is put in place, CILT is optimistic that the freight industry is capable of changing its behaviour rapidly and playing a full part in the Government’s programme to combat climate change. Our
optimism is based on successful initiatives implemented by some larger companies, and listed in this report, which have had a considerable impact on reducing CO2 emissions in a cost effective manner. These can and should be rolled out more widely. There is a wealth of expertise and advice available to companies, from trade associations and consultancies, on how to put in place programmes to monitor and reduce emissions effectively. Often it is available for little or no cost. These sources of advice and details of the programmes are also listed in this report. Finally, our report shows that the academic community in this country has considerable experience and expertise in researching how the transport industry can achieve emissions
reductions. Considerable funding is available to further this research at a European and UK level.

The resources set out in this report will enable you to start measuring your company’s emissions, and find opportunities to reduce them. If you have already started, then there are tools and methods detailed in the report that will support even the most sophisticated projects.

And if you are stuck for inspiration, or unsurewhat to do first, the academic section will help you with literally hundreds of ideas. In addition, the bibliography we used to support the report provides excellent materials. So good luck, and good hunting!