This blog was written by Yiqian Zhang, Sustainable Mobility Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat, and edited by Everica Rivera, Communications Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat

Creating liveable cities through low-carbon freight: EcoLogistics in Argentina, Colombia and India

Freight transport and emissions are increasing rapidly and, until now, cities were not equipped to handle the associated challenges. Only about 21 percent of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) highlighting transport refers to freight transport. Nonetheless, general understanding and awareness on sustainable freight have grown exponentially in recent years.

As governments set ambitious targets to decarbonize transport, it is critical that they use data to evaluate and make science-based decisions. However, there exists a range of common urban freight data issues.

Calculating emissions is the first step. Through the EcoLogistics project, nine cities have used the ICLEI EcoLogistics Self-monitoring Tool to compile and evaluate the data on the urban freight activities taking place in their jurisdictions. The data compiled forms a baseline for these cities to take informed, effective action to curb freight emissions – contributing to a sustainable low-carbon future.

These cities are some of the first to compile this body of data on urban freight activities. Here is what they found and what peer cities can learn from their experience:

Air quality and emission reduction: Bottom-line incentives to tackle the urban freight sector

Most cities are confronted with problems of air- and noise-pollution caused by road traffic. Heavy-duty trucks consume 7.3 percent of global energy-related emissions and will almost double according to the International Energy Agency. Reducing emissions from these vehicles presents an opportunity to slow the rate of near-term climate change and to achieve substantial public health benefits.

Studies of the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley (“Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá” in Spanish, AMVA), which is composed of 10 municipalities and is the second most populous metropolitan area in Colombia, show that motorized vehicles were responsible for 81 percent of PM2.5  emissions in 2015; trucks were responsible for 64 percent of PM2.5, despite comprising only 4 percent of total vehicles in the region. In response, AMVA’s Comprehensive Air Quality Management Plan set out a renewal program for freight vehicles to phase in ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles.

Infrastructure capacity is often overlooked

High-quality infrastructure is a precondition for the provision of efficient transport services for both freight and passenger movements. However, the infrastructure capacity consumed by freight activities is often overlooked. Such constraints have long-term implications for economic productivity and inequality. Growing freight demand poses an opportunity to increase the investment in urban rail infrastructure, cross-docking, and port handling capacity, among others.

In 2018 and 2019, the Kochi Port recorded the highest growth rate of 9 percent in cargo handling. Yet, its logistics efficiency suffers on account of labor unions due to strikes and the deteriorating quality of road networks connecting to the port terminal, according to a report prepared by the Department of Commerce of India. 

Urban freight data: What is missing?

To begin with, existing freight data collection usually takes place on a national basis, thus the data is primarily on a national level and not on an urban level. Besides, for local and regional governments, data collection can be expensive and they often do not have the resources or capacity to access high-quality data. In spite of this, Bogotá and AMVA have recognized the importance of urban goods movements data and evidence-based policies, thus are making greater sources available for freight transport initiatives. 

Moreover, the most comprehensive data related to urban freight often lies with the private sector and they often lack the incentives to share them. For instance, data about distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed can be sensitive information for many freight transport operators, leading to insufficient or unreliable data. Additionally, the transport companies sometimes do not have a clear idea about the type of in-use vehicles for their operations, which results in data gaps when comparisons between datasets are attempted.

Regulatory gap remains

Many cities have been active to introduce schemes, measures and pilot projects to solve urban freight issues, however, irrespective of city scale or location there is a high degree of similarity in terms of the interventions: there is no integrated body of urban freight management; the cities seem to focus largely on access or time restrictions; the profile of these interventions is piecemeal, place-based and limited to a certain group of stakeholders. 

Recognizing the importance of integrated freight planning, the Government of Kerala envisages developing bus ports and logistics ports and has proposed to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named the Kerala Freight Port Limited. This semi-government body will be implementing and managing all the freight infrastructure development projects in the state.

Looking ahead

Through close analysis of each city’s freight transport activity, distribution of vehicle flows and its environmental impacts, the project guides cities in future actions in the most impactful way. By bringing multi-stakeholders onto the same table, it is ensured that they can be heard and can participate in a constructive fashion, to improve urban freight systems. Tailored analysis and interventions are used as part of the development of the Low Carbon Action Plan for Urban Freight (LCAP-UF). The action plans will detail the actions that are planned in order to curtail energy consumption and emissions from urban freight. 

More detailed quantitative analysis and policy recommendations can be found in the report: Creating sustainable cities through low-carbon freight: EcoLogistics in Argentina, Colombia and India.