Reducing CO2e emissions in the transport sector: a necessity for companies
The energy consumed in transport represents a major climate issue in France every year.
The transportation sector is one of France's biggest GHG emitters. According toAdeme, it accounts for almost 30% of CO2e emissions nationwide. Cars, trucks, planes: every kilometer traveled has a cost for the climate and adds to the collective carbon footprint. Calculating these impacts reveals significant margins for progress.
For companies, the impacts are manifold. Whether managing vehicle fleets, transporting goods over long distances, or commuting to and from work,the contribution of transport to carbon footprints is significant. A striking illustration: in the tertiary sector, for example, these items are often underestimated, even though they represent an essential lever for reducing the amount of CO2e generated.
At the same time, not all modes of transport have the same impact. A combustion-powered vehicle emits on average 10 times more CO2e per passenger-kilometre than a train. The road sector remains largely dominant, well ahead of rail and river transport.
Against this backdrop, and with the national low-carbon strategy imposing an ambitious trajectory to 2050, it's becoming essential for companies to take action: better travel planning, rethinking usage, electrifying cars, or banking on low-carbon logistics.
But where to start?
And above all, what actions are really effective in reducing the impact of transport on an organization's greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint?
The challenges of CO2e emissions in the transportation sector
🚗 Passenger transport: a heavyweight in the balance sheets
Passenger transport is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in France. According to an annual report by the Haut Conseil pour le Climat, it alone accounts for 52% of the transport sector's CO2e emissions. The private car remains the most widely used mode of transport. It is also the most polluting, behind air travel.
According to data, a passenger traveling 15 kilometers in a combustion-powered car emits an average of 3.26 kg CO₂e, compared with just 0.15 kg CO₂e by RER. On home-to-work or business trips, this choice therefore weighs heavily in the carbon footprint of organizations. The distance travelled has a direct impact on climate impact.
The companies in the tertiary sector are directly concerned. Their GHG balances often show a significant proportion of mobility-related emissions.
Location also plays a role. In the Île-de-France region, public transport is more developed. But in many areas, the car is still a must. As a result, the number of tons of CO2e produced by commuting is skyrocketing.
🚚 Freight transport: a key challenge for businesses
Freight transport is responsible for 42% of the transport sector's CO2e emissions. In France, most of these emissions are generated by road haulage. On average, a heavy goods vehicle emits 903g of CO2e per tonne-kilometre. Calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must take into account the quantity of goods transported and the number of journeys made.
Companies that ship, receive or deliver products are all concerned, whether they are shippers, distributors or logistics providers. For some, such as in e-commerce or industry, transport represents a major part of their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.
Regulatory pressure is increasing. In Europe, the Green Deal aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. In France, the national low-carbon strategy calls for a drastic reduction in emissions from the road sector. Companies need to think ahead.
✈️ Air transport: a disproportionate impact
Air transport accounts for a small proportion of travel (less than 2% of kilometers traveled in France), but it generates a major CO₂e impact. The cause: a very high carbon intensity per kilometer.
According toADEME data, a passenger on a plane emits around 103kg of CO₂e, compared with 1.17kg of CO₂e by TGV.
Domestic and business flights add considerably to companies' GHG footprints. A round trip from Paris to Marseille by plane can generate up to 304 kg of CO₂e per person.
Some companies now include distance and time criteria to limit the use of air transport. Others favor rail travel for journeys of less than 4 hours, as part of a low-carbon mobility policy. Simple levers, but with a strong impact on the overall carbon footprint.
The 7 advantages of carrying out your company's GHG assessment.
How can CO2e emissions from transport be reduced?
🧭 Optimizing journeys: a first concrete lever
The first action, often underestimated, is route optimization. For companies, this means rethinking the way kilometers are traveled.
On the freight side, this involves :
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- grouped deliveries,
- reduced distance travelled unladen,
- improved loading rates,
- logistics pooling between French shippers.
Each improvement saves tons of CO2e, while reducing costs.
In terms of employee mobility, the levers are :
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- the development of teleworking,
- promoting carpooling,
- easy access to public transport,
- setting up company mobility plans.
These solutions can be integrated directly into a GHG balance sheet, in order to measure their effectiveness.
⚡ Energy transition: electrify fleets and diversify
Changing motorization is a major lever. In France, electric vehicles emit up to 22% to 81% less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars.
For corporate fleets, the switch to electric vehicles means a considerable reduction in emissions. It's also a way of anticipating future low-emission zones (ZFE ), already active in Paris and other major cities.
The road sector remains difficult to decarbonize. But solutions are emerging for heavy goods vehicles: electric trucks, hydrogen, biogas. These options remain costly, but are becoming increasingly accessible.
🛰️ Technology and innovation: accelerating the transition
Emerging technologies open up new possibilities. For example:
- real-time emissions monitoring systems,
- intelligent tour planning software,
- inter-company sharing platforms,
- tools to accurately measure carbon footprint by flow.
These solutions can be integrated into carbon footprints, facilitating decision-making. Some companies are already using these tools to fine-tune their low-carbon strategy and manage their emissions to the nearest tonne.
In France, as in Europe, these innovations benefit from public support (subsidies, tax credits, Ademe calls for projects). An opportunity for any company looking to accelerate.
How to sustain and strengthen your business through a successful low-carbon trajectory.
Case studies and best practices
🏢 Concrete examples of emission reductions in the transport sector
Many companies have already taken concrete steps to reduce transport-related CO2e emissions. The results are measurable, provided that these items are included in an accurate and comprehensive carbon balance sheet.
Feedback from several organizations that have carried out their GHG assessment with Global Climate Initiatives shows the diversity of approaches. These testimonials illustrate strategies adapted to each activity.
Gaëtan COUREUL | Amaury Sport Organisation
A.S.O chooses GCI to assess the carbon footprint of its events, starting with the Tour de France.
Benjamin GRIZBEC | French Badminton Federation
The FFBad entrusts GCI with the carbon assessment of its activities, and continues with the GHG assessment of 20 affiliated clubs.
Christophe CHRISTEN | SCHMIDT Groupe
The Schmidt Group was able to enrol 80% of its suppliers (in terms of financial volume), and save 242 tonnes of CO2.
Marlène PIVARD | Natural Grass
Natural Grass was assisted by GCI's carbon experts in carrying out its first GHG emissions assessment.
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- Setting up fleets of electric vehicles,
- Increased use of rail and river transport for goods,
- Widespread use of telecommuting to reduce commuting distances,
- Adoption of management software to optimize delivery rounds,
- Raising internal awareness of the impact of business travel.
🚛 Example: optimized logistics for a shipper
In 2020, PepsiCo France signed up to the FRET21 initiative, spearheaded by ADEME and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, with the aim of reducing its transport-related CO₂e emissions by 16% over three years.
To achieve this objective, the company has implemented several levers:
- Route optimization: modification of the sourcing and distribution network to reduce distances traveled, resulting in a saving of 2,300 tonnes of CO₂e.
- Reduction of empty runs: development of backhauling solutions in partnership with suppliers to improve truck loading rates.
- Strengthening rail transport: setting up multimodal rail/road links, notably between the Le Quesnoy and Saint-Alban-les-Eaux depots, saving 1,100 tonnes of CO₂e.
These actions are part of a global strategy to decarbonize the supply chain, demonstrating the positive impact of optimizing transport flows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
🚗 Example: fleet transition in a service company
A service company based near Paris has gradually replaced its combustion-powered cars with electric vehicles. It has also set up a mileage tracking system and an internal car-sharing platform.
This strategy has enabled us to halve emissions linked to employee mobility, while improving comfort and reducing fuel costs.
💡 These actions show that it is possible to significantly reduce thecarbon footprint associated with transport, without sacrificing efficiency.
Provided we have reliable data, track the right indicators, and align our approach with the objectives set by the National Low-Carbon Strategy.
There are solutions for both freight and passenger transport:
- optimize routes,
- adopt new engines,
- take advantage of innovations,
- use a structured carbon footprint to guide its decisions.
The approach applies to all types of organization:
👉 a public company must align its practices with territorial policies,
👉 a very large company must integrate mobility issues throughout its supply chain,
👉 a association can influence the movements of its members,
👉 an event can anticipate the impact of transportation right from the design phase,
👉 a community can play a leading role in the transition of its economic players,
👉 even digital services have an indirect share linked to professional mobility or the delivery of materials.
Whatever the structure, integrating transport into a low-carbon strategy is now essential.
The challenge is enormous. But it also paves the way for economic, social and environmental gains.
Sources
- https://empreinte-baroudeuse.fr/quel-moyen-de-transport-pollue-le-plus/
- GHG emissions passenger transport
- Freight transport emissions
- a heavy goods vehicle emits an average of 903 g of CO2e per tonne-kilometre
- electric vehicles emit up to 22% to 81% less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars
- Pepsico France
- Strengthening rail transport