News

The State Council of the People's Republic of China formally released the 2014-2020 Mid-to Long-Term Plan for Logistics Development on 4 October, 2014.  The full text of the policy can be found in Chinese at http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2014-10/04/content_9120.htm. While the entire policy is highly relevant to the development of the freight and logistics sector in China, Clean Air Asia has prepared a preliminary translation of key mentions of energy efficiency and green freight,... read more

The Ministry of Commerce will start implementing a modern logistics technology project this year to reduce distribution costs and expand domestic consumption. Nine cities, including Guangzhou, Wuhan and Lanzhou, were selected as pilot cities for the ministry's initiative and will receive funding of 15 million yuan ($2.35 million).   "At the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), we will strive to have network coverage for common deliveries, including uniform distribution, above 40 percent... read more

DHL is working to develop a logistics master plan for China’s fourth largest city, Chengdu.   The city of 14m people in the south-western Chinese province of Sichuan signed a letter of intent with the logistics giant that will see its cross-divisional unit DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation coming up with ways to improve the efficiency of Chengdu’s logistics infrastructure. Analysis of traffic flows for goods coming in and out of the city and between its districts should lead to... read more

HONG KONG--The freight-forwarding division of Deutsche Post AG unit DHL plans to set up its fourth operations hub in Asia this year as the global freight firm banks on hopes that demand for trade within Asia will continue to be a key growth engine amid the slowdown in Europe and the U.S. Recent industry changes have hurt companies with major express delivery operations as many customers have opted for slower-moving, non-premium delivery services in the soft global economy. Illustrating the... read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heard information today outlining how the transformation to clean diesel technology over the past decade has significantly reduced particulate emissions – "soot" – both in California and throughout the United States. Tom Fulks, a representative of the Diesel Technology Forum, highlighted the advancements in clean diesel technology in his statement at a hearing in Sacramento... read more

Transport experts on Tuesday urged authorities to do more to prevent accidents involving overloaded trucks, following a fatal accident in Beijing in which a cyclist was buried alive.   Emergency services in Fengtai district were called out at about 6 am on Sunday when a heavy-duty vehicle carrying construction materials overturned while turning at an intersection. Tons of soil spilled onto the street, entirely covering a female cyclist, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police had not... read more

Zero-emission trucks could enter demonstration mode in the next few years and eventually be part of a zero-emission corridor along a congested section of Interstate 710 leaving the Port of Los Angeles, according to a study by Calstart, an independent California-based organization working to commercialize clean transportation technology. Calstart’s Technologies, Challenges & Opportunities I-710 Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Vehicle Systems study concludes there are no major... read more

Passenger traffic in the Asia-Pacific region continued to show strong and steady growth from January to May this year, a press release from Airports Council International (ACI) said on Wednesday.  The latest ACI Passenger and Freight Flash Reports showed a year-on-year increase of 8.4 percent in Asia-Pacific airports. Beijing (PEK) continued to record the highest passenger throughput in the region, with over 6.7 million passengers in May 2012. Tokyo Haneda (HND), with over 5.4 million... read more

ABE90 Committee friend Craig Milligan would like to encourage paper submissions related to freight transportation issues in the developing world. This isn't a formal call, but if enough papers are received we may be able to put together a (whole or in part) podium or poster session related to these issues.Description: The TRB Committee on Transportation in the Developing Countries (ABE90) invites the submission of papers on a range of topics related to the performance of freight transportation... read more

NEW DELHI: Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a $150 million loan to the Indian government loan under Railway Sector Investment Program to improve rail freight services and passenger transport routes. The amount will be the 1st tranche of the $ 1,144 million investment and will help the country improve rail services along some of its busiest freight and passenger transport routes, providing double-track for about 840 kilometers of rail routes and electrifying about 640... read more

Rio+20 is a conference about implementation, and an important part of that is making and delivering commitments. Commitments have been invited from various stakeholders businesses, other Major Group organizations, associations, academic institutions, philanthropic organizations, UN entities, partnerships involving more than one stakeholder, and Member States.   The Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia), Secretariat for Green Freight Europe: European Shippers’ Council (ESC) and EVO... read more

29 May 2012   The momentum for Green Freight in Asia keeps growing. Thirty representatives from the private sector met in Singapore for a third Green Freight Asia Network (GFAN) meeting of shippers (manufacturers), freight carriers, third party logistics providers, and associations. The meeting focused on a GFAN survey on green freight practices covering clean technologies, alternative fuels and vehicles, modal shift, fleet management and logistics solutions, and of private sector priorities... read more

For full text see: http://unctadxiii.org/en/Pages/DisplaySession.aspx?meetingid=52 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) co-organized a side event on sustainable freight transport. CAI-Asia moderated a session and presented on presented on Green Freight in Asia.   In view of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+ 20) and the designation of the year 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy, the event... read more

The value of China's freight logistics is expected to reach 125 trillion yuan (19.84 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2012, according to the organizers of the Ninth Automotive Logistics China Conference held in Beijing on 18-20 April. Currently, the country's logistics costs account for around 18 percent of its gross domestic product, far above the levels seen in the United States and European countries. Although strong growth is expected to continue, China is facing challenges such as high automotive... read more

Summary Analyzes the causes of high off-cycle NOx emissions from Euro IV/V heavy vehicles that threaten efforts to improve urban ambient air quality in Europe and in other countries that use the Euro regulation as a pattern, and recommends various measures to address the problem.   Despite meeting more stringent regulatory standards for exhaust emissions during type approval, many Euro IV and Euro V heavy-duty vehicles equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems have... read more

A voluntary programme providing "the road to sustainble transport"   By providing a platform, the programme helps companies to reduce the carbon emissions of their road freight. The emissions can be calculated and monitored through a central database. Furthermore, shippers are encouraged to compare the environmental performances of different carriers, which will enable logistics managers to measure the carbon footprint of their products. Also carriers themselves reap benefits from this since... read more

Cleaning up the air in the San Joaquin Valley is a challenge and requires the widest possible use of every tool the California Air Resources Board has at its disposal. One of the most effective tools is a pioneering program that uses taxpayer money from a bond initiative to help reduce diesel pollution from trucks. Read more at http://www.bakersfield.com/opinion/letters/x1688918852/Truck-retirement-program-good-for-Central-Valley-air

Green Freight Europe, currently comprising over thirty companies and representative associations and others, aims to establish the leading independent voluntary program for improving environmental performance of road freight transport in Europe, reducing carbon emissions.   Participating in this event will be senior business executives from road freight carriers, logistics companies and customers (shippers); also speaking will be European Commission Vice President, Siim Kallas, and Head of... read more

A landmark government health study provides evidence that the diesel engine exhaust that pervades California highways could be causing cancer at a greater rate than previously known. The study says miners exposed to diesel engine exhaust are three times more likely to contract lung cancer and die, and that a similar increased risk applies to people from smoggy, urban areas such as Southern California who live near freeways or commute to work. The long-term study, carried out by the National... read more

Fuel economy edges to record high as carbon pollution levels drop to new low   WASHINGTON - The average fuel efficiency for new cars and light duty trucks has increased while the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continue to decrease for the seventh consecutive year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual report, “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2011.”“Today’s report shows that we are... read more

  Council coordinates the sharing of real-world technology adoption experiences. February 19, 2012. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (www.nacfe.org) announced earlier today at the Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, the results from its first ever fleet fuel efficiency study. The nonprofit council conducted this study with eight of the world’s largest fleets, representing 75,000 tractors and 130,000 trailers, arguably the largest ever fleet... read more

Summarizes and evaluates approaches to testing and certifying power-train systems and complete vehicles. Worldwide, commercial vehicles are a growing contributor to air pollution, fuel consumption, and global-warming emissions in the on-road transportation sector. As with passenger vehicles, there are a variety of fuel, engine, and powertrain technology options for trucks and buses that can reduce criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventionally-powered diesel and... read more

8 February 2012, Manila – The Green Trucks Toolkit was developed by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Core Environment Program Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative (CEP-BCI) to assist trucks companies reduce fuel use and emissions from their truck fleets. Freight is the backbone of economic trade in Asia and by 2050 Asia will account for 29% of the global truck travel activity. By 2050, medium and heavy freight trucks... read more

(Environmental Leader: Environmental Data Center) Companies that voluntarily issue press releases disclosing their carbon emission information see their stock prices rise significantly in the following days, according to a University of California study. Going Green: Market Reaction to CSR Newswire Releases, by Paul Griffin of UC Davis and Yuan Sun of UC Berkeley, used archives of the Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire to identify climate change-related press releases issued between... read more

Reducing the environmental impact of freight transportation operations is laudable, but methods used to achieve that goal will only become consistent business practice if they are based on demonstrable results and help generate profits, according to top logistics industry officials. Read more at http://www.americanshipper.com/Main/News/Brighter_skies_for_freight_48362.aspx?taxonomy=AmericanShipperMagazine

(Singapore Business Review) A sluggish GDP will still hurt the industry but stable diesel prices and undeterred demand should compensate. 2013 is shaping up to be a more tumultuous year for Indian logistics, according to Fitch, during which regulatory and tax changes will have taken effect. Here's more from Fitch: Fitch Ratings says that that the Indian logistics industry is not expected to see any significant changes in 2012. This is mainly because of delays in the implementation of... read more

  (Vietnam Today Online) HCMC - The tentative scheme to lower import tariffs on trucks has made a rift between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, with the former saying the time has not come while the latter upholding the view. The Ministry of Finance has earlier disseminated a draft for feedback, suggesting sharp tax reduction for trucks of different categories. The draft was sent to the Vietnam Association of Automobile Manufactures and the ministries of Industry... read more

The Jakarta Post Indonesia’s logistics industry is predicted to grow by 14.2 percent, to Rp 1.4 trillion (US$153 billion) this year from Rp 1.2 trillion in 2011, thanks to the country’s strong economic growth, research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan said.  The firm’s Asia Pacific vice president for transportation and logistics, Gopal R, said Indonesia’s economic growth would remain high despite the economic slowdown in the world, which would in turn further benefit the... read more

http://selectiverationality.com There’s an interesting albeit rather vague Xinhua article floating around from 18 January 2012. It details an “exclusive” interview with Miao Wei, the chief of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, on the need to improve fuel economy for heavy trucks, a program for managing which apparently starts on 1 February 2012. What’s it about and who benefits? The article provides more evidence of the importance of improved fuel economy not only... read more

Selective Rationality There’s an interesting albeit rather vague Xinhua article floating around from 18 January 2012. It details an “exclusive” interview with Miao Wei, the chief of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, on the need to improve fuel economy for heavy trucks, a program for managing which apparently starts on 1 February 2012. What’s it about and who benefits? The article provides more evidence of the importance of improved fuel economy not only in the US,... read more

(REUTERS) - Shenzhen has unveiled details of its ambitious 285 billion yuan (S$58 billion) plan to create one of the world's largest logistics centres and pledged to work with Hong Kong to overtake Shanghai as the world's leading port, newspapers reported on Tuesday. The money would be used to fund 311 new projects and 164 existing ones in Qianhai, a 15 sq km development zone in the Pearl River Delta, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported, adding it aimed to become one of the world's largest... read more

6 December 2011 - Global freight logistics companies, manufacturers, freight carriers and industry associations signed the "Private Sector Declaration on Green Freight in Asia towards a Green Economy" to support green freight initiatives and programs in Asia. National green freight programs reduce fossil fuel dependency, improve air quality and minimize CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change, whilst maintaining economic growth.   The Declaration on Green Freight was announced today... read more

Enhancing energy security, protecting our environment and growing the economy  Contact: EDF Contact: Erin Geoffroy, (512) 691-3407, egeoffroy@edf.orgATA Contact: Sean McNally, (703) 838-1995, smcnally@trucking.orgRILA Contact: Liz Jennings, (703) 600-2063, liz.jennings@rila.org   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Freight Sustainability Summit (Summit), co-hosted by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Retail Industry Leaders... read more

20 October 2011 The Clean Air Asia is pleased to share the first issue of the Green Freight and Logistics in Asia weekly news digest.  This provides the latest news, information, statistics and events on green freight and logistics in Asia. Please see attached file for Vol.1, Issue 1 of the News Digest. In this issue: In Focus: Guangdong International Green Freight Fair and Workshop held in Shenzhen, PR China Freight Statistics in Asia: Percent share of road freight in India Fact of the Week:... read more

  Indian Railways has done well to raise freight rates by 15% across the board. The mid-course correction will boost revenues and improve the health of the country's most vital, but failing component of transport infrastructure. However, merely raising rates will not suffice. The quality of service must improve to make the IR's freight business efficient. The Railways should ensure that all goods move with speed, safety and predictability - whether it is hauling imported coal to power... read more

The Drivers’ Fuel Challenge is a global competition arranged by Volvo Trucks in which professional truck drivers compete to drive in the most fuel-efficient manner possible. A suitable driving style can promote significant savings for both the environment and the haulage company’s economy. On October 22 some of the world’s best experts in fuel-efficient driving will meet for the competition finals at the Volvo Demo Center in Göteborg, Sweden. "We have noted considerable... read more

Robert Transport and Gaz Métro Transportation Solutions inaugurate Canada's first commercial liquefied natural gas station BOUCHERVILLE, QC, Oct. 17, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, in the presence of Clément Gignac, the QuebecMinister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Pierre Moreau, theQuebec Minister of Transport and Nicole Ménard, the Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible of the Montérégie region, Claude Robert,... read more

“The transport sector is the backbone for trade in the EWEC. Therefore there is a need to support it,” said Mr. Sumit Pokhrel, the Energy and Climate Change Coordinator from GMS-EOC, ADB, at a workshop held at the Mekong Institute (MI), Khon Kaen, Thailand, last Friday, October 7, 2011.   The East West Economic Corridor (EWEC), is the most established corridor out of the four that are operational in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). The GMS Economic Program, under the Asian ... read more

  The Guangdong Government and the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) co-organized the Guangdong International Green Freight Trade Fair in Shenzhen from 12 to 14 October with the support from Ministry of Transport PRC, World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was combined with the Shenzhen International Logistics Transportation Fair, the second largest in the world, and attracted over 10,000 visitors. At the Fair, Guangdong Province launched the Green Freight... read more

International Transport Forum (ITF) Statistics Brief: Global Freight Figures Suggest Weak Growth Ahead September 2011 The latest global freight data collected by the International TransportForum at the OECD, through June 2011, highlight concerns over economic recovery: ► Freight volumes indicate a marked macroeconomic slowdown. External trade by sea in the EU-27 and the USA stabilizes below pre-crisis levels (-3% and -4%) while trade by air declines in EU (falling from 15% to 9% above... read more

ecoENERGY Efficiency for Vehicles will also introduce a Canadian version of the SMARTWAY Transport Partnership, a successful program launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004:   ►SMARTWAY connects freight shippers with an interest in greening their operations to a list of endorsed energy efficient freight carriers.   ►Participants are benchmarked against each other using data they submit describing their energy use and emissions.   Read more here.

Learn more about the effect of tires on fuel consumption by watching this short video clip: http://www.gitiportal.com/movie/green-transport/

Freight Transport Sector has Big Energy-Saving Potential: China and US will promote Green Freight Transport in China together 下 一步，货运业节能减排的路径有哪些？绿色货运能否加速中国道路货运业的转型升级？近日，由亚洲城市清洁行动中心主办，交通运输部道路运输司、美国国家环境... read more

WASHINGTON, DC, April 13, 2011 – Today the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a grant of $4.2 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to demonstrate both the local and global environmental benefits of the green truck technology to more than 500,000 truck operators in Guangdong Province of China.   Road-based freight transport, which primarily comprises trucks, is a significant energy consumer and a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions... read more

Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities | NEWS RELEASE Green Freight Makes Headways in China   7 June 2011 - Over ninety Chinese government officials, private sector and civil society representatives gathered in Beijing on 23-24 May to discuss how to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from China’s freight sector. Both energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions and air pollution from transport are priorities in China’s 12th Five Year Plan.   “Energy efficiency is... read more

The International Transport Forum (ITF) released its latest Statistics Brief on Global Trade and Transport entitled "Global Freight: Recovery and Rebalancing?"   Highlights   The latest update of global freight data collected by the International Transport Forum at the OECD shows that since the financial crisis of 2008:   ► EU-27 and USA external trade by sea are attaining pre-crisis peak levels, measured in tonnes; EU-27 trade by air in tonnes even surpassed them by 16%; ►... read more