Measures for reducing the carbon footprint in transport

The impact of the carbon footprint from transport by air, road, rail and sea is usually highly significant.

It is a major problem, and we are working tirelessly in order to minimise it and make the sector part of the solution for an increasingly sustainable world. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), this problem causes approximately 1.3 million deaths a year around the world.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the amount of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emitted into the air, directly or indirectly, as a consequence of the actions of human beings while performing a given activity. 

Transport is estimated to account for 15% of the carbon footprint in the entire world. Together with the aeroplane, the car is one of the most harmful means of transport for the environment. 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the element contributing most to global warming since 1990, as well as being the most common. 

In 2019, The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) highlighted that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere had reached a new record with CO2 levels comparable to those of over three million years ago, when the earth’s thermostat read 3 °C more and the sea level was between 10 and 20 metres higher than today. 

How to reduce the carbon footprint of freight transport

The main thing is to change the use of inefficient means for more efficient ones. For example, there are management systems of fleets using computer tools that improve the organisation of freight traffic and limit the consumption of fuel, and, in consequence, CO2 emissions.

Programmed preventative maintenance and the periodic review of tire pressure is essential to ensure more efficient fuel consumption.

Alternative fuels

Encouraging the use of alternative fuels is one of the great alternatives available for minimising transport’s carbon footprint. Among the options are biofuels, biomethane or electric vehicles.

This is why the implementation of fuels which are less polluting for the atmosphere is increasingly being considered, together with hybrid or electric vehicles. There is also the option of alternative systems to diesel, such as liquefied natural gas.

It is important to emphasise that gas-fuelled vehicles generate 25% fewer GHG emissions  than those running on petrol and 9 % less than those on diesel.

Optimising logistics management

It is important to have a logistics management service including the search for the best routes, ones that are more direct and efficient with fewer kilometres to cover.

To this end, we once again underline the benefits of using route planning software that can calculate cargos and carbon footprint, as they tell you the impact of the transport so that you can take more informed decisions for optimising routes and the freight transported, all of which is aimed at more sustainable and efficient transport. 

It is likewise of the utmost importance to define the best timetable for loading and unloading because, when these periods of time are minimised, the waiting times of vehicles are reduced and this results in a better logistics management on the docks, implying a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Let’s remember that the bigger the vehicle, the greater its consumption, but the size must be chosen in accordance with the route and the goods to be transported, because a big truck may be preferable to two vehicles, for example.

Training to improve drivers

Let us not forget training and preparation programmes aimed at raising the awareness of drivers and preparing them to perform their tasks efficiently.

There are actions that help reduce fuel consumption by about 15 %, become more knowledgeable about how to start the vehicle, when to start braking and maintaining a suitable speed.

Vehicle maintenance

It is important for each vehicle to be in perfect condition so that it does not use more fuel than necessary.

However, it is also vital to pay attention to the service life of the tires, something that is key to reducing the carbon footprint, due to the fact that tire manufacturing emits CO2.

In addition, tires with more or less air pressure can have a great impact on the emissions generated by the vehicle. This is why it is recommended to regularly check the pressure of the tires.

At KENSA, we help reduce the carbon footprint with our work on route traceability in which we study the points for improvement for an efficient supply chain, and a 24/7 monitoring service using online tracking and status information through automated reports.

In addition, we have a compilation, support and integration unit offering a complete service in the supply chain of tires and automotive cargo insurance.