Radical changes needed to cut road transport industry CO2 emissions
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A SERIES OF RADICAL changes to 'decarbonise' the road freight sector and cut greenhouse emissions by the 80% target put forward by the government are essential, according to research conducted by the Logistics Research Centre.
In an analysis of the magnitude of the challenge faced by the UK road transport sector to cut its CO2 emissions by four-fifths, Professor Alan McKinnon found that road haulage's share of total tonne-kilometres must fall by 14% to 50%, with freight being moved onto rail instead.
Fuel efficiency may have to increase by 40% and empty running cut to 17% from 27% in order for targets to be met.
The analysis concludes: -Of the two-dozen scenarios tested, the eight most optimistic would attain this level of reduction, but require step changes in vehicle technology and corporate behaviour. The analysis has... indicated the magnitude of the challenge confronting logistics managers as they prepare their freight transport systems for a very low-carbon world."
• An investigation into the huge changes needed in the industry for the 80% target to be reached will follow in next week's CM.