GMS Green Freight Initiative (2013 onwards)
The freight and logistics sector in the GMS plays a pivotal role in supporting the expansion of trade, and in turn, economic growth. A 2010 Core Environment Program study of the GMS East-West Economic Corridor – connecting Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam - found that promoting green freight through improved logistics management and fuel efficiency measures could reduce GHG emissions and lower freight company fuel costs.
During the study, a detailed freight sector assessment was carried out and found that the widespread use of old, inefficient diesel-fuelled trucks – particularly in Lao PDR and Viet Nam – was largely responsible for high emissions. Sector inefficiencies were seen as a compounding factor, characterized by a fragmented transport industry, especially for small-medium companies which lacked logistics management and capital investment. A survey of trucking companies found that 25-50% of journeys were being run with empty loads.
In 2012, consultations were conducted with government agencies and small-medium trucking companies and associations to conceptualize a Green Freight Initiative to pilot approaches to reduce emissions. The $1.2 million initiative is being implemented in target provinces in each of the three countries, and will focus on the following interventions:
- Increase access to financing for green technologies and truck fleet upgrades
- Improve logistics management to reduce empty running
- Improve driver behavior to be more fuel efficient
The project will establish a funding mechanism, and will work with 25 trucking companies in each country to reduce fuel use by 10% against a baseline. If the initiative proves successful, the Core Environment Program will work with stakeholders to investigate options for scaling up through climate change funding streams.
Resources
| File Name | Size | Modified |
|---|---|---|
| Green Freight Initiative VietNam Final Report.pdf | 2 MB | 21-03-2017 |
| Report on Eco-driver training Lao PDR and Viet Nam - Grutter Consulting July 2016.pdf | 980 KB | 18-08-2016 |
| GMS Green freight projects-scoping report.pdf | 342 KB | 26-11-2013 |
| Green Freight Initiative Summary.pdf | 80 KB | 30-06-2014 |
| Green Freight Cambodia.pdf | 2 MB | 17-11-2014 |
Publish Date: 12th September 2013
Last Updated: 25th February 2018
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