Strategies To Decrease Emissions in Freight Transport

This thesis focuses on reducing CO2 emissions from transporting Product X of Company X, a software and hardware firm, and proposing strategies to decrease these emissions from freight transportation. Product X is manufactured in Eastern and Western Europe, then transported to a warehouse and subsequently to business partners, with reverse logistics for damaged goods. The research question is: What strategies should Company X implement to reduce their carbon emissions eq. of the transportation of Product X by 10%? A data analysis reveals that the bulk of emissions occur during transport from manufacturer to warehouse (60%). 80% of all emissions from transportation between the warehouse and the business partners are caused by only 20% of all orders shipped, which are shipped by airplane. Strategies identified through literature and stakeholder consultation include adjusting supplier agreements, offering sustainable delivery options to customers, optimizing carrier selection, educating decision-makers, and combining strategies for a cumulative impact. Carbon offsetting is suggested alongside emission reduction measures, emphasizing its effectiveness when used complementarily. A scorecard aids in strategy selection, prioritizing actions such as eliminating 3.5-ton trucks from supplier agreements, offering sustainable delivery choices, and optimizing transport modes. The study emphasizes a multi-pronged approach to meet the 10% emission reduction target.