Current programs
Project Description
Towards an eco-efficient freight transport system
History
Towards an eco-
History
On December 2-4, 2008, representatives from several countries including Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the UK and France gathered for an international summit in Ann Arbor (Michigan). The objectives of the summit were to discuss public private transport programs to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gases emissions from goods movement, to share best practices and exchange ideas. The conference was hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the University of Michigan. The conclusion of this summit was that Public Private Sustainable Transport Partnerships are a strong policy instrument to improve the energy and environmental performance of freight transport.
These partnerships are voluntary programs with two or more of the following characteristics:
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Structured relationship between a government (or international agency) and multiple private sector entities to address the environmental issues of freight transport;
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Promotion of the availability and benefits of new technology, best practices that improve fuel efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution;
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Focused on market transformation programs with objectives that look for new ways of working – not just “business as usual”;
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Development of tools for transport companies and shippers to calculate the fuel and greenhouse gas performance of their transport and freight operations;
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Provision of incentives to help companies to implement best practices and to invest in new technology; and,
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Recognition opportunities for participating shippers and transport companies demonstrating advanced practices and achieving superior levels of environmental performance.
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Following the conclusions of this summit the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, ADEME and a consortium of European consultants in the global Green Logistics Consultants Group decided to investigate the interest of private and public authorities in the development of such a programme in Europe.
Broad expert and stakeholder consultations confirmed the need and significant interest in a European approach based on best practices in several European countries, the US and Japan.
A first meeting was organised in Brussels on the 26th of May 2009 with representatives from public authorities from several European countries, European transport and shippers’ organisations and some large companies such as IBM, Mars, P&G, Michelin and Volvo.
A number of other European member states have already introduced public private programs providing information and incentives for the transport sector as well as for shippers to improve the energy and environmental performance of freight transport. Many stakeholders expressed the opinion that it would be a strong benefit for the industry and for the environment if a harmonized common programme could be established in Europe.
An international approach would significantly contribute to realizing economies of scale and achieve a higher acceptance rate by international carriers and shippers.
Follow up steps
Based on the conclusions of the first working session in Brussels on 26 May 2009, follow up meetings are organised with public and private stakeholders in the coming months (see events).
A status report was disseminated among public stakeholders at the end of August 2009 describing different options, potential organisation and the way forward to develop the programme.
A web based discussion forum is linked to this website with information on the conclusions of working groups and on the progress of the project.
Current Programmes in some countries
The French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning (MEEDDAT) and the French Environment and Energy management Agency (ADEME), together with the main French road transport and logistics associations launched in 2008 “Objectif CO2. Les transporteurs s’engagent”.
This voluntary Public Private programme to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector provides a framework for transport companies to commit to reducing their fuel consumption and CO2 reduction. Already 25 large transport companies in France are participating and it is expected that this number will be around 100 at the end of 2009.The programme includes a CO2 diagnosis (baseline), the identification of company specific environmental performance indicators, emission reduction goals to be realised within 3 years and action plans. Action plans are focusing on all kind of CO2 reduction measures and includes trucks, fuels, driver behaviour and the organization of transport flows. An Excel spreadsheet has been developed to help transport companies to evaluate and monitor CO2 emissions, assess the potential gains of specific measures and to monitor progress over a longer period.
ADEME has also developed emissions calculation procedures and CO2 emissions calculation tools. Bilan Carbone™ is a calculation tool compatible with the GHG corporate standard and the ISO 14064 specifications. It covers a variety of activities, from space heating, combustion for manufacturing processes, freight shipments, passengers travel, production of raw materials, waste and water treatment. The Bilan Carbone™ allows companies to calculate their emissions, identify and to prioritise emission reduction projects. Ademe provides training as well as additional information to calculate GHG emissions. Although Bilan Carbone™ is not a freight transport specific tool it is also used by shippers and transport companies to calculate transport emissions as well.
Voluntary agreement on energy efficiency in goods transports and logistics
A voluntary program on energy efficiency in freight transport and logistics has been agreed in 2007 between the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Transports and Logistics Association SKAL, Association of Logistics Companies and VR Group Ltd (Finnish Railways).
The target is that 60 % of companies would commit to this voluntary partnership. The program is focused on road and rail transportations and related logistics.
The objective is to implement measures that would save fuel consumption in road and rail transport and related logistics.
Stakeholders in the program are:
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Transport users (shippers)
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Road and rail transport companies
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Public authorities
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An Energy and Environmental Accounting and Reporting System, EMISTRA, is used as a tool to monitor vehicles' fuel consumption and emissions.
Innovation platform sustainable logistics
The innovation programme is an initiative by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, in cooperation with other ministries and the private sector.
The Sustainable Logistics innovation programme consists of six sub-projects:
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Agenda. The platform where business people, scientists and policy-
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Sector cooperation. Through their trade organisations, companies in the same sector are developing and realising logistical improvements tailored to their own situations;
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Corporate profiling. Companies, the government and experts are developing and testing tools to make sustainable logistics in industry visible to the outside world;
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Europe. Assistance in obtaining the attention and support of the European Commission for projects to make transport and logistics more sustainable on a European scale;
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Innovation management. Assistance from experienced experts and scientists in introducing innovative solutions for sustainable logistics;
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Showcase. The source of knowledge and information regarding insights obtained and successes achieved.
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Following tools are available to identify the possibilities for sustainable logistics and calculate the effects:
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Digiscan Sustainable Logistics is a digital calculating tool for identifying the opportunities of saving on transport costs (part 1) and for calculating their effects (part 2). Digiscan also provides support in implementing and monitoring the improvements in efficiency;
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The Sustainable Logistics Game (also available in English) developed jointly with TNO, is a role-
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Several other tools are being developed including a tool to calculate emissions for road carriers, a handbook for the calculation of emissions from logistics sources, the Emission Scan Logistics, a tool to calculate transport emissions at corporate level for shippers and carriers, a lean and green label and the Maturity Matrix for sustainable purchasing of logistics services.
Best Freight practices and other programmes
A carbon reduction strategy of transport was presented recently by the new Secretary of State for Transport. This strategy includes several aspects relevant for freight transport
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Supporting a shift to new technologies and fuels
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Promoting the integration of transport modes
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Promoting change through better information
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Reducing CO2 from business-
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Promote the use of trading systems to reduce emissions in aviation and shipping
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Sending price signals through fiscal measures
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Current programmes are the Energy Saving Trust, ‘Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving’ (SAFED) and the Freight Best Practices.
The Energy Saving Trust conducts Green Fleet Reviews for fleets of over 50 vehicles, as well as providing advice to smaller fleets, to help them cut costs and emissions.
The Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) programme includes eco-driving for van and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers. This programme teaches road skills to help industry increase safety as well as reduce fuel costs and emissions. To date, the programme has provided most of the cost of training for 800 instructors, 12,000 HGV drivers and 7,500 van drivers.
With the freight and logistics industry a new working group has been created to develop a consistent carbon measurement and reporting method standard for the logistics transport supply chain. The objective is to develop a basis that can be used for a future reward structure – such as a voluntary recognition scheme – which industry, or potentially Government, could develop.
Freight Best Practice is funded by the Department for Transport to promote operational efficiency within freight operations. The programme offers free essential information for truck operators covering following topics
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Fuel saving (Fuel efficient truck drivers handbook, Fuel saving devices, …);
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Equipment and systems( Routing and and scheduling, truck aerodynamics, …);
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Performance management (Key performance indicators, Monitoring CO2 emissions, ..);
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Multi modal (Multi modal solutions, …); and
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Developing skills (Save driving tips, Freight quality partnerships guide, …)
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The programme will be extended to the rail and water freight industries as well as to the van sector later this year.
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The On Line Benchmarking (OLB) is a new system to allow transport operators to externally and anonymously benchmark their operations. There are 8 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) currently available within the system, covering elements of Fuel Performance, Safety, Vehicle Utilisation and Customer Satisfaction.
ww.freightbestpractice.org.uk/
www.onlinebenchmarking.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Transport-in-business
www.safed.org.uk/
www.onlinebenchmarking.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Transport-
www.safed.org.uk/
Green Distribution Partnership Meeting and other programmes
In Japan the Energy Conservation Law obliges large shippers and carriers (more than 200 trucks) to improve the energy efficiency of their operations by 1 % annually. They have to submit an Energy Saving Plan once a year and to report their annual energy use.
An experimental domestic Emission Trading Scheme and a Domestic Credit System are part of a voluntary action plan. Under this scheme large businesses provide funds or technology to small and medium sized companies and use certified emission reductions in joint projects with these companies to achieve the Voluntary Action Plan targets
Voluntary programs are the promotion of eco-friendly driving for the trucking business by a better centralized management of operation and the introduction of an Eco-friendly Driving Management System, the promotion of third party logistics by the standardization of contracts, the establishment of Information Security and research on the third party logistics.
The Green Distribution Partnership conference was established in 2005 to promote cooperation between shippers and carriers. This partnership includes the promotion of best practices, the establishment of a calculation method for CO2 emissions and recognition of efforts. Advanced logistics models and freight consolidation projects etc. are funded by the programme.
The programme is managed by the Japan Institute of Logistics Systems, Japan Federation of Freight Industries, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), The Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren).
The program has about 2,900 members, including carriers, shippers and related associations.
The EPA Smartway partnership
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a collaborative voluntary program between the US Environmental Protection Agency and industry designed to improve energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution.
Started in February 2004, the partnership aims to create strong market-based incentives that challenge companies shipping products, the truck and rail companies delivering these products, to improve the environmental performance of their freight operations.
Transport users (Shippers) can become SmartWay Transport Partners by committing to improve the environmental performance of their logistics operations. SmartWay transport providers (Carriers) commit to integrate fuel and emissions saving strategies into their operations.
The program has grown to about 1,900 participating companies. These firms collectively operate 585,000 trucks running more than 51 billion miles per year. That represents roughly 20% of the estimated 3 million heavy-duty trucks registered in the United States.
SmartWay Transport Shippers commit to ship the majority of their goods with SmartWay Transport Carriers. Companies that meet SmartWay Transport Partnership requirements benefit from reduced operating costs and enhanced visibility. In addition, partners that demonstrate superior performance earn the right to display the SmartWay Transport logo. Logistics providers and industry affiliates are also eligible to participate in the program.
The EPA in turn provides technical assistance, helping partners benchmark and achieve their goals to improve energy efficiency and lower GHG emissions. The program also provides modelling tools, information exchange and data that identify fuel use, emissions output and the effectiveness of a broad range of technology, equipment controls and fuel-saving logistics management strategies. In addition, the SmartWay program has been working with financial institutions to provide flexible, reduced-interest loans to improve access to these fuel-saving technologies and pollution controls.
The EPA has the intention to expand the program to air transport and maritime transport in the coming years.
SmartWay is now participating with the Clean Air Initiative (CAI)-Asia Center on a World-Bank funded pilot project in Guangzhou, China. SmartWay staff will provide technical advice and expertise on the project, in conjunction with Cascade Sierra Solutions, an active SmartWay affiliate.
SmartWay also has sister programs in Mexico (Transporte Limpio Semarnat) and Canada (FleetSmart).based on a Memorandum of Understanding describing the cooperation between public authorities in the countries involved.
In Australia, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA Victoria) will launch a new Australian-