Rogerson, Sara (2016) Environmental concerns when purchasing freight transport, Chalmers, PhD Thesis, ch 5.1 Flashcards
How do shippers influence CO₂ emissions in freight transport?
Shippers affect emissions through their purchasing decisions, transport planning, and delivery requirements, which impact factors like load factor, mode choice, and transport efficiency.
What are the key logistical variables related to CO₂ emissions?
Mode of transport – Rail and sea produce less CO₂ than road and air.
Handling factor – More transfers increase emissions.
Length of haul – Longer distances raise emissions unless optimized.
Load factor – Higher utilization reduces emissions per unit.
Empty running – More empty trips increase inefficiency.
Fuel efficiency – Newer, optimized vehicles lower emissions.
Carbon in fuel – Alternative fuels (e.g., biofuels) reduce CO₂ output.
How does the freight-transport purchasing process impact emissions?
Service agreements affect vehicle fill rates and trip frequency.
Delivery time demands may force inefficient, low-load deliveries.
Carrier selection influences transport mode and fuel efficiency.
Example: If a shipper prioritizes fast delivery, they may cause more partial loads, leading to higher CO₂ emissions.
What are the barriers to reducing CO₂ emissions in freight transport purchasing?
Cost concerns – Companies often prioritize price over environmental impact.
Lack of data – Shippers may not track transport emissions.
Conflicting priorities – Faster deliveries often conflict with lower emissions.
Limited collaboration – Poor coordination between supply chain partners.
How can shippers reduce CO₂ emissions through their purchasing strategies?
Flexible delivery windows to allow better route optimization.
Bundling shipments to reduce empty running.
Prioritizing lower-emission transport modes (rail, sea).
Encouraging suppliers to use cleaner fuels and energy-efficient vehicles.
How does contract design influence transport emissions?
Strict delivery times → More emissions due to inefficient routing.
Load-based pricing → Encourages full truckloads.
Sustainability clauses → Push carriers to use greener options.
