Freight industry seeks more support to reduce emissions
Professionals in the freight industry have called on the Government to provide more support to them in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as the country continues to attempt to cut its carbon footprint. The transport sector accounted for 17.7 % of Ireland’s carbon emissions in 2021 and about one-fifth of that amount came from heavy goods vehicles. With 24,000 trucks based in Ireland travelling up to 1.9 billion kilometres per year, and consuming up to 700 million litres of diesel, there is a sharp focus on doing anything possible to help make the sector cleaner, while acknowledging that freight is a cornerstone of the entire economy.
The Department of Transport has said that, given that the Irish haulage sector is currently fuelled almost exclusively by diesel, “decarbonisation will be a significant challenge” in the medium term. However, the department also told RTE News that it is hearing “positive news and signalling” from vehicle manufacturers regarding the delivery of alternatively-fuelled heavy-duty vehicles. “This must be encouraged and supported with the right mix of policy and regulatory measures by Governments, to ensure we reach our climate objectives over the next decade,” the department said in a statement.
The Irish Road Haulage Association has called for more incentives for drivers to use cleaner vehicles, but said many are already making the switch to more energy-efficient trucks. Among the measures the association wants to see are supports for night-time deliveries in the Dublin area, to reduce daytime congestion and journey times; express HGV Lanes at toll stations; traffic light sequencing to speed up traffic flow and reduce stops; a fuel rebate for hauliers to reclaim “a small percentage on the excise on diesel fuel” on environmentally-friendly vehicles and encouragement for “eco-driving”. Another initiative which would help, they say, is support for the use of HVO – hydro-treated vegetable oil – which is an alternative to diesel but more expensive at the moment than conventional fuels.
Paul, Jackman from the management committe of the Irish Road Haulage Association
Upgrading the fleet to “Euro 6” trucks, which are more carbon-efficient than traditional “Euro 1” trucks is being done, according to Paul Jackman, a member of the IRHA’s management committee.
“There are many opportunities for the State to accelerate that transition,” he said of the move towards Euro 6 trucks which could take 15 years to complete, “and to give the improvements, not only nationally but within our cities.” He added that it is “frustrating” that there isn’t a network for the use of HVO. “It’s a high-grade biofuel and the ingredients come from the timber industry, by-products of the animal industry, and of course recycled vegetable oil and they’re all in Ireland, and yet we’re importing HVO.
Currently it’s a percentage of the diesel we’re using, but it could be a lot more, and the modern Euro 6 truck will run on 100 % HVO but again the Irish government are not incentivising its use, which the IRHA would support.”
Stephen Treacy, senior scientific adviser at the Environmental Protection Agency
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the focus to date when it comes to transport emissions has been on passenger vehicle emissions. More has to be done within the freight sector to cut the carbon impact, according to EPA senior scientific adviser, Stephen Treacy: “To reduce emissions from freight, Ireland needs to avoid freight transport where possible, in greater material efficiency, improved routing and scheduling, shift to lower-emitting modes such as rail, and also improve the efficiency of the existing fleet with biofuels, electrification and other measures like that.” A sizeable portion of our freight comes into and leaves the country via our sea ports, such as Rosslare Europort which is operated by Irish Rail.
The company says it is already taking steps to lower transport carbon emissions. One of the biggest improvements will be an increase in freight rail transport, according to port manager and Director of Commercial Businesses with Irish Rail, Glenn Carr: “We’ve a very ambitious rail freight strategy across the nation, with Irish Rail. Rail freight can play a real part in the solution to decarbonising the freight transport sector.
“A little example – for every rail freight train that we operate we save 5,000kg of CO2 emissions than if it went by road. We also take 25 to 30 trucks off the road with each freight train that we operate. “Irish Rail has a big plan working with Government, the EU and the industry which will see substantial investment in new rolling stock, the creation of strategic inland multi-modal hubs, and the creation and enhancement of connection to our key ports.
“So, that means more trains in and out of Dublin Port, more trains in and out of Waterford Port, we’re re-connecting Shannon Foynes Port at the moment, we’ll look to re-connect into the port of Cork Port, and indeed here at Rosslare Europort also.”