CO2 emissions in urban freight transport: Developing and testing the EcoLogistics tool

Abstract

The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted a significant rise in global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with freight transport contributing disproportionately to this increase. The escalating movement of people and goods necessitates additional measures by local governments to meet the Paris Agreement targets. However, city governments often struggle to design effective emission reduction strategies due to data limitations, multiple stakeholders, and evolving conditions. This paper presents the development of the EcoLogistics tool, a collaborative decision support system designed to aid cities in tracking urban freight transportation emissions and evaluating the impact of decarbonization strategies. The tool’s application is illustrated through a case study in Bogotá, where local officials used it to assess the city’s 2019 carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and explore alternative electrification scenarios for 2030 and 2050. The results facilitated the creation of a low-carbon urban freight action plan, emphasizing fleet electrification to reduce emissions. The Bogotá case study demonstrates the EcoLogistics tool’s potential for global applicability, showcasing its adaptability and effectiveness in enabling cities worldwide, regardless of their economic or logistical contexts, to initiate urban freight transportation decarbonization efforts.