Green freight is the use of cleaner, more efficient logistics practices to reduce the environmental impact of moving goods. It focuses on lowering fuel use, carbon emissions, air pollution, waste, and empty miles across trucking, ocean freight, rail, air cargo, warehousing, and last-mile delivery. Green freight strategies may include route optimisation, modal shift, electric or low-emission vehicles, cleaner fuels, efficient packaging, load consolidation, carbon reporting, and sustainable carrier selection.
Green freight refers to initiatives, certifications, and practices that reduce the environmental impact of freight transportation, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving fuel efficiency, and transitioning to lower-carbon transport modes.
Key Green Freight Programs
- EPA SmartWay: U.S. program certifying freight carriers and shippers for fuel efficiency
- IMO 2020: requires ships to use low-sulfur fuel or install scrubbers
- CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator): IMO rating requiring ships to improve carbon efficiency annually
- EU ETS: European emissions trading system applying to ocean shipping from 2024
Importers and exporters increasingly need to report scope 3 emissions, which include freight transport. Choosing SmartWay-certified carriers and lower-carbon modes supports ESG reporting.
For related logistics context, see Dedola’s sustainable fashion and apparel shipping and glossary entries on Carbon Tax Surcharge, Fuel Surcharge, BAF, and Clean Truck Fee.
