Transport and the Environment
The QTLC supports innovative freight practices within the total supply chain that maximize existing infrastructure and mitigates the effects of congestion and carbon emissions.
The QTLC will:
- Promote alternate Transport fuel sources such as Liquid Natural Gas and Bio-diesel.
- Support and develop Congestion mitigation strategies
- Develop strategies to address the impacts of Peak Oil.
The Queensland Government has committed to supporting the national target for limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 60% of year 2000 levels by 2050.
This poses significant challenges for government and industry if the transport sector is to embrace this policy. Transport in general terms is the one of fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, and whilst the majority of these emissions are associated with personal travel (PT) the growth of emissions from the freight transport sector exceeds that of PT with a notable increase in Light Commercial Vehicles.
Overall transport emissions grew by approximately 27% between 1990 and 2006, however freight related emissions grew by almost 40% for the same period.
The QTLC will provide guidance to the transport and logistics sector but it needs to be acknowledged that there are limits to what government can influence alone to achieve positive environmental outcomes.
Industry and the general public also have responsibilities; Emissions from domestic logistics are not limited to those generated from the combustion of fuels for freight vehicles, emissions also arise from refrigeration, air-conditioning and electricity use in warehouses, distribution centres and other corporate facilities.
Not only are we challenged to reduce our dependence on oil based fuels for our environment but with demand for oil expected to outstrip supply in the near future we need to be planning to ensure the economic sustainability of the freight transport sector and once again demonstrate the T&L sectors historical propensity for leadership and innovation.
