Defining & Exploring support for Fosssil-Free road freight

Abstract

Purpose

Road freight is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the European Union, yet decarbonization is slow. Transition to fossil-free fuels in the logistics sphere is emerging from an innovation phase to where early adopters have begun to undertake decarbonization into their operation. To decarbonize road freight, logistics actors, such as hauliers and freight forwarders, need to feel supported. However, it is uncertain how support may be defined or impact logistics actors. Thus, leading to the purpose of this study: To define and explore support for logistics actors using fossil-free fuels.

Methods

This is a mixed-method paper utilizing both document analysis (69 documents) and an interview study (12 interviews). Selection of these documents and interview respondents follow a purposive sampling state.

Findings

Findings of the document analysis show that support for biomethane-fueled road freight in a regional context may originate from four actor types: government, business, logistics or societal. The resulting support types may be defined as managerial, financial, social or layered. From the interview study, layered support in using biomethane in road freight proved to be the most influential for logistics actors.

Original/Value

Within green logistics literature, the use of document analysis as a method is not common. This research utilizes documents that have otherwise gone unrecognized to shed light on a topical issue.