21 February 2012 | Alan Bouquet
Carbon, Sustainable Development, Transportation

 

Rail is being turned to as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly form of shipping.

The shipping industry has long been seen as a key area for emissions reductions, but now the industry is using new technology and smarter logistics to achieve financial and carbon savings, according to the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF).

Global freight emissions stand at around three billion tons of carbon emissions per year, with a 74% increase due by 2035 on 2005 levels. This is a highly unsustainable situation, as these emissions add up to the equivalent of 700 average sized coal power plants. This is beginning to change however, with growing pressure from oil prices and environmental legislation.

Examples cited by the EDF’s Smart Moves report include companies shifting to rail transport over Lorries, sharing transport with rival companies and smart load management strategies. These kinds of efficiencies have in some cases saved around 25-40% in carbon emissions.

"At any given moment, there are more than 50 million tons of freight moving on America's roads, rails, rivers and airways, and nearly all of it could be moving on less fuel and fewer emissions," said Jason Mathers, who heads up the initiative.

Rather than a steady rise in emissions that is forecast, the shipping industry could use new technology to make considerable emissions and energy savings, which would both aid the world economy and the environment. This is one industry where smart technology can significantly change the industry for the better.
 

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