Developing a green freight strategy

Our appetite for goods of all kinds — food, electronics, apparel, housewares — is growing, and the supply chains that make and deliver these goods are increasingly global. As a result, products travel farther to reach us than ever before. That means greater fuel consumption, more greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and continued local air pollution challenges. In the
U.S., freight transport accounts for 16 percent of corporate greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the largest carbon footprint contributors.

Worse, freight’s contribution is set to grow. By 2040, U.S. freight emissions are on track to increase nearly 40 percent above current levels. Meanwhile, compelling scientific assessments of climate change make it clear that society must dramatically cut greenhouse gas from all sources over this time. Reducing freight’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions is a major, long-term challenge for logistics professionals.

Critical progress can be made, though, starting today.

On the broad issue of climate change, the world’s largest companies are stepping up to the challenge with real, committed action. In fact, more than 60 percent of the combined Fortune 100 and Global 100 have established public, GHG reduction goals. Freight has not yet reached center-stage status in corporate sustainability efforts, but that’s beginning to change, and for good reasons. Companies are recognizing the enormous potential of Green Freight strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and, at the same time, drive down costs and increase profitability. With Green Freight, there is a direct correlation between profitable business and environmental goals.