April 5 2018 | #BESTPRACTICE
Due to the modal shift on routes to Poland, Italy and Spain, we have saved 70-80% CO2 emissions
A greener future
Because we produce more and more CO2, the earth warms up and that has negative consequences for the climate and the environment. Cargill takes steps to save the environment. Together with our partners, we look at ways to use raw materials and energy in a smarter way to combat the greenhouse effect. Taking measures is one thing, being able to demonstrate the effects of those measures by an objective party is two.
Taking a closer look at logistics
What is the impact of transport on the environment? In other words, how many tons of CO2 emissions per year are we talking about? Can we find a way to make our inbound and outbound logistics processes more sustainable? Those questions already played in 2008. Three years later, the Cargill Lean & Greenteam has an action plan for reducing CO2 emissions to and from the Dutch locations . The package of measures went to Connekt, an organization in which companies, governments and knowledge institutions such as TNO work together to make mobility in the Netherlands more sustainable. Connekt validated our action plan and over the past five years all data regarding CO2 reduction in transport have been tested by them. That resulted in the Lean & Green Star Award, because Cargill has proven to be successful in making its logistics processes more sustainable.
Test and apply
There are several ways to emit less CO2: the use of trucks with a lower unladen weight, fewer transport movements by taking more tons per truck and by using other modalities. One of these was the track and we mainly used this modality to and from Poland, Italy and Spain . Due to the modal shift, we have managed to achieve savings of approximately 70-80% CO2 emissions on these routes. Although the track cannot compete with the road in all cases, we offer our customers these routes intermodally by well anticipating the desired delivery times and by providing greater flexibility. Because the tonnage per unit over the track can be a lot higher than by road, the track is all in all an attractive modality and saves a lot of CO2 emissions.
Joining forces
In addition to making its own logistics more sustainable, Cargill wants to work more closely with the other parties in the chain, such as suppliers. Think of the use of the same truck or container for the transport of our product and return loads from the suppliers themselves. What you want is smart, sustainable logistics throughout the entire chain, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Fortunately, our suppliers and customers are also working on this. We can all make the world a bit greener, that is our belief. ”
