Reducing the carbon footprint of road freight transport for Egyptian companies: the application of the analytic hierarchic process

Abstract

Transportation is a significant source of carbon emissions and other toxic discharges. This study investigates and ascertains the most appropriate strategies to minimise carbon emissions caused by the transportation sector in Egypt. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied as a multiple-criteria decision-making tool. A survey was developed to collect information on a pair-wise comparison of predefined reduction criteria for carbon emissions and determine viable alternatives. A case study was also conducted to validate the findings obtained through AHP. The results of the applied methodology indicated that transportation management recorded the highest preference score of 40%, followed by the logistics system design at 28%, model choice at 14%, vehicle technology at 9% and the use of alternative fuel at 6%. A massive reduction of the carbon footprint was registered in the case study of implementing the best-selected strategy. The research assists logistics practitioners in enhancing their environmental performance.