Second workshop identifying energy efficiency measures

In the second workshop the experts were given papers showing each eight problem areas identified in the first workshop. The experts were then asked to consider the problem areas by themselves and suggest measures which could be taken to overcome the obstacles. Also the potential effects, possible difficulties, costs, benefits and responsible organizations were asked to be evaluated of each measure. However, the experts did not have enough time to evaluate these details accurately, so they indicated mainly just the responsible organisations. After the individual consideration the measures were discussed in small groups and then openly with all attendees. Finally the measures were listed on flip charts and each expert was given five stickers. The experts were asked to indicate the most important measures with the stickers and divide the stickers to at least three measures.

There were three measures suggested to overcome the hauliers’ lack of environmental knowledge and best practices. Collecting and sharing benchmarking data got three votes out of the total of 35 votes. Currently there is no information about the energy efficiency and CO2 emissions available for hauliers to benchmark their performance. Such information should be gathered and made

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available. As well as benchmarking information, the hauliers would benefit from education about various energy efficiency measures and their costs and benefits. Such education could be done in various forms and it could be attached to the mandatory periodic driver training and various courses which the trade associations offer to their members. Educational measures also gained three votes in the workshop. In addition to the education, there should also be active communication about the energy efficiency measures to the hauliers. Communication got two votes. These measures were seen to be common efforts with shared responsibility. Government agencies and trade associations should cooperate in the matter. It was also seen that there could be opportunities for new businesses in the education, similarly to the ecodriving training business. Measures to improve the efficiency of city logistics were seen important in the voting. Most important measure would be the development of collaborative consolidation centres for urban distribution. This measure got four votes. Such consolidation could also enable the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles such as battery powered or hybrid electric small delivery trucks. Usage of these vehicles could also be encouraged by establishing low emission zones in city centres. Use of environmentally friendly vehicles got 2 votes. Whether the urban distribution is performed using current practices or new consolidation centres, the routing should be optimised better than it currently is. This measure got one vote. Municipalities have an important role in the city logistics and they can set an example by consolidating the material flows of their own operation. This measure was also seen important by one vote. Municipalities were seen to be responsible for making initiatives of collaboration to involve shippers and hauliers in the common effort of improving the efficiency of city logistics.

Road freight transport is seen to gradually implement more and more intelligent transport systems and services (ITS). However, this development could and should be accelerated in order to improve the energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions of road freight transport. For example electronic consignments should be promoted. This measure got three votes. New vehicles also have telematic systems as standard equipment which enables accurate monitoring of fuel consumption and payload, for example. However, information management should be developed to fully utilise this data in improving the energy efficiency. This measure got one vote. ITS also enables dynamic route guidance and routing which takes into account congestion or road geometry to minimise fuel consumption. Although promoting such measure was mentioned in the workshop, it did not get any votes. The experts saw that there is a need for new businesses which would develop inexpensive and easy to use services which would accelerate the implementation of ITS in the road freight sector. The trade associations also have a role to play in promoting these measures and communicating best practices to their members.

Financial problems, especially among small hauliers, were seen in the first workshop as severe obstacle for improving energy efficiency. These problems could be addressed by offering investment grants, loans or tax subsidies for hauliers who purchase equipment or services which

133 improve energy efficiency. Financial aid should be targeted to hauliers who participate in the Finnish energy efficiency agreement for freight transport and logistics as this would also promote the agreement and make it easier to evaluate the effects of the financial aid. Financial aid was considered to be important by four votes. Most energy efficiency actions are financially profitable even without any aid, but the hauliers may lack proper knowledge on the costs and benefits of the actions. This is why two votes were given to highlight the importance of information and education for hauliers to make investment appraisals of the various energy efficiency actions. The government is mainly responsible for these measures but research institutes are also needed to determine what energy efficiency actions have the greatest benefits and should therefore be included in the financial aid schemes.

Geographical imbalance of goods flows and congested roads were identified in the first workshop as obstacles for improving the energy efficiency. However, no measures for changing the geographical imbalance were considered viable in the second workshop. Congestion on the other hand was seen to be a minor problem in Finland and only affects the main roads around Helsinki during the rush hours. Reducing the car traffic on these roads was seen important by two votes. This could be done by implementing congestion charges in Helsinki. Another way to avoid congestion is to increase off-peak and night time deliveries in the congested areas, but this measure did not get any votes from the experts.

Shippers’ lack of environmental consideration in their logistics was seen in the first workshop as a very severe problem area but also very hard to act on. The same was highlighted in the second workshop. Several measures were suggested, but only one suggestion got votes from the attendees. This measure which got four votes is that energy efficiency criteria should be used when the state or municipalities purchase freight transport services. The government and municipalities should take responsibility on this measure. Other measures suggested in the workshop included awareness campaign for consumers to get them to ask for more efficient freight transport and guidance in the sectoral energy efficiency agreement on purchasing environmentally friendly logistics services. Promoting carbon labelling was also suggested as well as developing online freight exchange services. Regional consolidation centres and agreements of cooperation were suggested as well. However, these measures did not get any votes as these were seen as issues which are close to the core business of the companies of trade and industry and thus cannot be affected from outside. Trade associations and government agencies can promote these measures, but the final decisions are to be made within the companies.

The final problem area identified in the first workshop was the lack of communication between the shipper and the haulier. Lack of communication about environmental issues may well be due to the fact that there is lack of knowledge on both sides. However, this may also be a good thing if the shipper and the haulier begin to work towards more energy efficient logistics together. The experts in the second workshop saw that the large logistics service providers play an important

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role in raising the awareness about the environmental issues of logistics. Three votes were given for this measure. It was seen positive that global logistics companies have taken the environmental issues seriously and use these issues in their marketing. Other LSPs could adopt similar activities. It was also suggested that new forums of cooperation should be established to bring together shippers and hauliers to discuss environmental issues. This measure did not get any votes, however.