9 January 2012, Delhi – Five million registered heavy freight trucks and vans consume about 46% of fuel from road transport in India thus significantly contribute to global warming and air pollution. “Heavy trucks contribute about 63% of CO2 and 59% of particulate matter (PM) emissions from Indian road vehicles,” explains Sophie Punte, Executive Director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia). “PM contain black carbon, which is believed to also contribute directly to global warming”.

A Green Freight Program in India would significantly reduce fuel use and emissions. Stakeholders must be made aware of available strategies in international best practices. “The truck sector in India is highly fragmented with predominantly driver-owners and only 6% of companies have more than 20 trucks,” added Parthaa Bosu, CAI-Asia India Representative.

CAI-Asia and SIAM organized the Green Freight India Seminar today at the India Habitat Centre, coinciding with the 11th Auto Expo. The seminar provided an overview of green freight initiatives and best practices in Asia and worldwide, and the participants discussed the priorities for the development of Green Freight India Program.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Bhure Lal, Chairman, EPCA, emphasised that vehicle manufacturers should invest in R&D for technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Mr. Prem Verma, CEO of TML Distribution Company and Co-chairman SIAM Logistics Group, stated “Driver training is important for a safe and green fleet, especially when logistics expenditure constitutes 100 billion US dollars which equates to 13% of India’s GDP.”

Mr. Kirit Parikh, Chairman, IRADe highlighted the need for multi modal transportation and planned freight corridors that promote rail-freight.

SIAM and CAI Asia will collaborate with government and industry to jointly develop Green Freight initiatives in India. This also supports the “Bangkok 2020 Declaration: Sustainable Transport Goals 2010–2020”, that was agreed by 22 Asian countries, as well as the “Private Sector Declaration on Green Freight in Asia towards a Green Economy” in support of green freight initiatives and programs in Asia.

Contact:
Parthaa Bosu, India Representative
parthaa.bosu@cai-asia.org

Seminar documents are available here.
For more information, visit www.greenfreightandlogistics.org/