Reducing emissions from freight

Freight distribution strategies are needed at the regional level to encourage modal shift and more efficient operations. These will involve partnership working between private and public sectors.

Justin Kase zfourz / Alamy

Strategies include the development of improved linkages between the UK ports, railway networks, warehouses and destinations. The Commission for Integrated Transport has reviewed a number of the available interventions.

Regional and city-based strategies should include efforts towards:

• changed handling factors (the number of links in the supply chain) and reduced length of haul, improved mode share, reduced empty running, improved fuel efficiency and choice of fuel/power source
• dematerialisation - including use of consolidation centres, advanced logistics and distribution networks and load matching;
• subsidiarity, including local production and knowledge transfer and logistics planning.

There are a number of good practice examples available, including the Heathrow and Norwich freight consolidation centres and measures arising out of the Reading freight quality partnership.

City strategies to encourage local food production and distribution, for example through farmers markets, can help reduce food miles and boost local economies.

The Department for Transport's Freight best practice web site contains further guidance and case studies.

Priority: reduce car use and improve the carbon efficiency of vehicles
Tags: transport, regions and subregions, cities and towns