GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Freight Industry Statistics

Sustainable freight practices can reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and promote growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Electrification of freight trucks has the potential to reduce emissions by up to 50% compared to diesel-powered trucks

Statistic 2

The global freight sector is projected to grow by 50% by 2050, increasing its environmental impact unless sustainable practices are adopted

Statistic 3

Using alternative fuels in freight transport can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%

Statistic 4

Sustainably designed packaging can reduce freight packaging waste by up to 30%

Statistic 5

Blockchain technology in freight logistics can improve transparency and reduce carbon footprints by optimizing routes

Statistic 6

Switching to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by up to 20-25% compared to heavy fuel oil

Statistic 7

The use of telematics devices in freight fleets can increase fuel efficiency by around 10-15%, reducing emissions substantially

Statistic 8

Smart logistics solutions can reduce empty miles by up to 30%, decreasing unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions

Statistic 9

Hydrogen fuel cells in freight vehicles could cut emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional diesel engines

Statistic 10

The use of drone technology for last-mile delivery can reduce emissions associated with delivery vans by up to 20%, depending on the context

Statistic 11

Renewable energy-powered charging stations for electric trucks can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 70%

Statistic 12

Companies implementing sustainable procurement policies have seen a 15-20% reduction in carbon footprint across their supply chains

Statistic 13

Electric freight bikes can reduce urban freight-related emissions by up to 80%, especially in congested city environments

Statistic 14

Use of biodegradable packaging in freight shipping can reduce waste and landfill contributions by up to 25-30%

Statistic 15

Green ports initiatives have resulted in a 30% reduction in port-related emissions through cleaner energy sources and electrification

Statistic 16

The global cold chain logistics industry is adopting refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP), reducing emissions significantly

Statistic 17

Implementing freight consolidations can lead to a 20-25% decrease in trips, reducing overall emissions

Statistic 18

Solar-powered warehouses and logistics hubs have reported energy savings of up to 30%, reducing carbon emissions

Statistic 19

In 2023, about 35% of fleet operators in the freight industry had adopted at least one sustainable technology in their operations, up from 20% in 2020

Statistic 20

Electric forklifts used in warehouses can cut emissions and energy consumption by approximately 50%, leading to substantial operational savings

Statistic 21

The use of eco-friendly lubricants in freight vehicles can reduce environmental impact and improve vehicle longevity, contributing to sustainability goals

Statistic 22

Digital documentation and paperless workflows can save up to 40% of administrative resource and associated emissions, streamlining freight processes

Statistic 23

The implementation of zero-emission zones in urban freight delivery areas has led to a 25% reduction in emissions in those zones, promoting cleaner city environments

Statistic 24

Warehouse energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and insulation, have resulted in a 20% reduction in overall energy consumption, contributing to sustainability

Statistic 25

The freight industry’s investment in green technologies is projected to reach over $200 billion globally by 2025, highlighting a significant shift towards sustainability

Statistic 26

The adoption of carbon offset programs by freight companies has grown by 50% since 2020, facilitating emissions neutrality

Statistic 27

Solar-powered refrigeration units on ships and trucks help decrease reliance on diesel generators, cutting emissions by up to 60%

Statistic 28

The use of biofuels in freight transport can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, depending on feedstock

Statistic 29

Greenhouse gas emissions from package handling and sorting facilities can be reduced by integrating energy-efficient machinery and practices, contributing to overall sustainability

Statistic 30

The global shift to sustainable freight logistics has created over 150,000 new jobs worldwide since 2018, promoting economic and environmental benefits

Statistic 31

The number of fleet operators obtaining sustainability certifications increased by 45% from 2021 to 2023, indicating industry commitment

Statistic 32

The use of off-peak delivery services can reduce congestion and emissions in city centers by 15-20%, promoting sustainable urban freight

Statistic 33

Through sustainable cold chain practices, waste of perishable goods can be minimized by up to 30%, improving efficiency and reducing emissions

Statistic 34

The environmental benefits of drone delivery are most significant in rural and hard-to-reach areas, where they can reduce vehicle trips by up to 25%

Statistic 35

The use of solar photovoltaic systems in logistics facilities is projected to reduce their carbon footprint by up to 44% over their lifespan

Statistic 36

The adoption of eco-driving techniques can lead to fuel savings of 5-15% in freight transport, lowering emissions and operating costs

Statistic 37

The adoption of digital twins in freight planning can improve efficiency by up to 15%, reducing wasteful routes and emissions

Statistic 38

Sustainable freight initiatives have increased supply chain resilience, with 60% of companies reporting better adaptability during disruptions

Statistic 39

Implementing dynamic routing and scheduling software can improve fleet fuel efficiency by 10-20%, decreasing emissions and operational costs

Statistic 40

The integration of AI-driven predictive analytics in freight management can reduce delays and inefficient routing by up to 20%, cutting fuel use and emissions

Statistic 41

Regular maintenance programs for freight vehicles can improve fuel efficiency by 5-10%, reducing emissions and operational costs

Statistic 42

Industry-wide initiatives to standardize data sharing in freight logistics can improve efficiency and reduce emissions by enabling better planning

Statistic 43

The adoption of regenerative braking systems in freight trains can cut electricity consumption by up to 15%

Statistic 44

The deployment of autonomous trucks has the potential to optimize routes and reduce emissions by up to 25%

Statistic 45

The freight sector accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 46

Road freight transportation contributes about 70% of the total freight emissions

Statistic 47

Over 50% of global freight movements are made by road, highlighting the need for cleaner trucking solutions

Statistic 48

Rail freight emits approximately 75% less greenhouse gases per ton-mile than road freight

Statistic 49

The global shipping industry contributes approximately 2-3% of worldwide CO2 emissions

Statistic 50

Intermodal freight transport (using multiple modes like rail, road, and sea) can cut total emissions by 30-50% compared to road-only freight

Statistic 51

Investment in sustainable freight infrastructure increased by 40% globally in 2022, reflecting growing industry commitment

Statistic 52

The percentage of electric heavy-duty trucks in operation globally increased by over 30% in 2023, showing rapid adoption

Statistic 53

Approximately 85% of the freight industry’s emissions occur during the transportation phase, emphasizing the importance of sustainable transit methods

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Key Highlights

The freight sector accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Road freight transportation contributes about 70% of the total freight emissions
Electrification of freight trucks has the potential to reduce emissions by up to 50% compared to diesel-powered trucks
The global freight sector is projected to grow by 50% by 2050, increasing its environmental impact unless sustainable practices are adopted
Using alternative fuels in freight transport can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%
Over 50% of global freight movements are made by road, highlighting the need for cleaner trucking solutions
Rail freight emits approximately 75% less greenhouse gases per ton-mile than road freight
The adoption of regenerative braking systems in freight trains can cut electricity consumption by up to 15%
Sustainably designed packaging can reduce freight packaging waste by up to 30%
Blockchain technology in freight logistics can improve transparency and reduce carbon footprints by optimizing routes
The global shipping industry contributes approximately 2-3% of worldwide CO2 emissions
Switching to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by up to 20-25% compared to heavy fuel oil
The use of telematics devices in freight fleets can increase fuel efficiency by around 10-15%, reducing emissions substantially

As the freight industry accounts for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is projected to grow by 50% by 2050, adopting innovative sustainable practices like electrification, alternative fuels, and smart logistics is vital to curb its environmental impact and forge a greener future.

Environmental impact and sustainability measures

Electrification of freight trucks has the potential to reduce emissions by up to 50% compared to diesel-powered trucks
The global freight sector is projected to grow by 50% by 2050, increasing its environmental impact unless sustainable practices are adopted
Using alternative fuels in freight transport can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40%
Sustainably designed packaging can reduce freight packaging waste by up to 30%
Blockchain technology in freight logistics can improve transparency and reduce carbon footprints by optimizing routes
Switching to LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships by up to 20-25% compared to heavy fuel oil
The use of telematics devices in freight fleets can increase fuel efficiency by around 10-15%, reducing emissions substantially
Smart logistics solutions can reduce empty miles by up to 30%, decreasing unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions
Hydrogen fuel cells in freight vehicles could cut emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional diesel engines
The use of drone technology for last-mile delivery can reduce emissions associated with delivery vans by up to 20%, depending on the context
Renewable energy-powered charging stations for electric trucks can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 70%
Companies implementing sustainable procurement policies have seen a 15-20% reduction in carbon footprint across their supply chains
Electric freight bikes can reduce urban freight-related emissions by up to 80%, especially in congested city environments
Use of biodegradable packaging in freight shipping can reduce waste and landfill contributions by up to 25-30%
Green ports initiatives have resulted in a 30% reduction in port-related emissions through cleaner energy sources and electrification
The global cold chain logistics industry is adopting refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP), reducing emissions significantly
Implementing freight consolidations can lead to a 20-25% decrease in trips, reducing overall emissions
Solar-powered warehouses and logistics hubs have reported energy savings of up to 30%, reducing carbon emissions
In 2023, about 35% of fleet operators in the freight industry had adopted at least one sustainable technology in their operations, up from 20% in 2020
Electric forklifts used in warehouses can cut emissions and energy consumption by approximately 50%, leading to substantial operational savings
The use of eco-friendly lubricants in freight vehicles can reduce environmental impact and improve vehicle longevity, contributing to sustainability goals
Digital documentation and paperless workflows can save up to 40% of administrative resource and associated emissions, streamlining freight processes
The implementation of zero-emission zones in urban freight delivery areas has led to a 25% reduction in emissions in those zones, promoting cleaner city environments
Warehouse energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and insulation, have resulted in a 20% reduction in overall energy consumption, contributing to sustainability
The freight industry’s investment in green technologies is projected to reach over $200 billion globally by 2025, highlighting a significant shift towards sustainability
The adoption of carbon offset programs by freight companies has grown by 50% since 2020, facilitating emissions neutrality
Solar-powered refrigeration units on ships and trucks help decrease reliance on diesel generators, cutting emissions by up to 60%
The use of biofuels in freight transport can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, depending on feedstock
Greenhouse gas emissions from package handling and sorting facilities can be reduced by integrating energy-efficient machinery and practices, contributing to overall sustainability
The global shift to sustainable freight logistics has created over 150,000 new jobs worldwide since 2018, promoting economic and environmental benefits
The number of fleet operators obtaining sustainability certifications increased by 45% from 2021 to 2023, indicating industry commitment
The use of off-peak delivery services can reduce congestion and emissions in city centers by 15-20%, promoting sustainable urban freight
Through sustainable cold chain practices, waste of perishable goods can be minimized by up to 30%, improving efficiency and reducing emissions
The environmental benefits of drone delivery are most significant in rural and hard-to-reach areas, where they can reduce vehicle trips by up to 25%
The use of solar photovoltaic systems in logistics facilities is projected to reduce their carbon footprint by up to 44% over their lifespan

Environmental impact and sustainability measures Interpretation

As the freight industry accelerates toward sustainability with electrification, alternative fuels, and smart logistics, it's clear that embracing green technologies is not just good for the planet but essential to prevent exponential growth from turning a shrinking margin of responsibility into an insurmountable environmental burden.

Operational efficiencies and industry initiatives

The adoption of eco-driving techniques can lead to fuel savings of 5-15% in freight transport, lowering emissions and operating costs
The adoption of digital twins in freight planning can improve efficiency by up to 15%, reducing wasteful routes and emissions
Sustainable freight initiatives have increased supply chain resilience, with 60% of companies reporting better adaptability during disruptions
Implementing dynamic routing and scheduling software can improve fleet fuel efficiency by 10-20%, decreasing emissions and operational costs
The integration of AI-driven predictive analytics in freight management can reduce delays and inefficient routing by up to 20%, cutting fuel use and emissions
Regular maintenance programs for freight vehicles can improve fuel efficiency by 5-10%, reducing emissions and operational costs
Industry-wide initiatives to standardize data sharing in freight logistics can improve efficiency and reduce emissions by enabling better planning

Operational efficiencies and industry initiatives Interpretation

By embracing eco-driving, digital twins, AI analytics, and standardized data sharing, the freight industry is steering towards a future where sustainability and efficiency aren’t just buzzwords but the fastest lane to lower costs, reduced emissions, and resilient supply chains—proving that going green is not only good for the planet but also good for business.

Technological innovations and automation

The adoption of regenerative braking systems in freight trains can cut electricity consumption by up to 15%
The deployment of autonomous trucks has the potential to optimize routes and reduce emissions by up to 25%

Technological innovations and automation Interpretation

By embracing regenerative braking and autonomous technology, the freight industry is not only shifting gears toward greener horizons but also illustrating that sustainability and efficiency can travel hand in hand.

Transportation modes and infrastructure

The freight sector accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Road freight transportation contributes about 70% of the total freight emissions
Over 50% of global freight movements are made by road, highlighting the need for cleaner trucking solutions
Rail freight emits approximately 75% less greenhouse gases per ton-mile than road freight
The global shipping industry contributes approximately 2-3% of worldwide CO2 emissions
Intermodal freight transport (using multiple modes like rail, road, and sea) can cut total emissions by 30-50% compared to road-only freight
Investment in sustainable freight infrastructure increased by 40% globally in 2022, reflecting growing industry commitment
The percentage of electric heavy-duty trucks in operation globally increased by over 30% in 2023, showing rapid adoption
Approximately 85% of the freight industry’s emissions occur during the transportation phase, emphasizing the importance of sustainable transit methods

Transportation modes and infrastructure Interpretation

With freight emissions accounting for up to 10% of global GHGs—mainly from road transport, which could be substantially diminished through cleaner trucking, rail alternatives, and electric innovation—the industry’s urgent pivot to sustainable solutions is no longer just eco-conscious but essential for planetary health.