IFA’s contribution to the reduction of harmful emissions – a way to provide green logistics at an advance level

The global quest for green logistics is a main rule of the activities of the European logistics network.  The activities of the freight forwarders include various methods for the reduction of the environmental pollution, which contribute for lower carbon dioxide emissions. This is how IFA contributes to the striving for green freight forwarding services at a modern level.

 

Methods for lowering the harmful emissions implemented by the European network for logistics

A contribution to the lowering of carbon dioxide emissions can be achieved not only through the purchase of new trucks and vehicles.  Here are some of the main methods which the freight forwarders association implements to lower the harmful emissions from the freight forwarding services.

 

Training the drivers to lower the fuel consumption of the vehicles they drive to economise on fuel

The economy of fuel leads to reduced harmful emissions. The International freight forwarders ensure proper training for their drivers in regard to economising the fuel by optimization of the speed, smoother braking and acceleration and other factors which can save up to 20% of the fuel.

 

The use of low viscosity lubricants

Synthetic lubricants can also contribute to fuel economising. In extreme conditions, the synthetic lubricants with a lower viscosity are more suitable because they retain their lubricating properties and successfully perform their job to reduce wear of the lubricated parts.

 

Idle time limitation

During idle time fuel continues to be consumed even though no work is being done. With the reduction of the idle time of the vehicles of the network of freight forwarders, fuel is being further economised, which too leads to the reduction of harmful emissions. The decrease of harmful carbon dioxide emissions by one truck only is 19 tons per year.

 

Deceleration when applicable

For the road freight forwarding services which are not express, the drivers of freight forwarders Europe decelerate whenever it is possible, when there is sufficient time for the freight to be delivered on time. Lowering the speed is also a way to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. The drivers are instructed to do so, whenever possible. Lower speed also helps preserve the vitality engine and the brake system for longer.

 

Reduction of the number of “empty” return trips

Every return trip from a freight forwarding delivery which involves an unloaded vehicle returning empty also contributes to the pollution from harmful emissions and without any forwarding services being done at the same time. Through the cooperation between the member companies of IFA throughout Europe helps limit the number of empty return trips. The reduction of the instances of vehicles returning unloaded helps reduce tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

 

Optimising the routes

For the international freight forwarding the member companies of the European network for transportation plan and create optimal routes which can be further modified if necessary, if any changes in the weather conditions occur.  This too helps economise fuel and lowers the emissions.

 

Intermodal transport – an important part of implementing green freight forwarding

Intermodal solutions include the combination of road transport with other types of transport in order to achieve faster deliveries and provide optimal routes at cheaper prices. By shortening the routes, more fuel is economised and as a result lesser harmful emissions of carbon dioxide are produced during the service.