Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Carbon offsets for freight transport decarbonization

A freight carbon offset presents an opportunity for transport operators and their customers to invest carbon offset capital within the freight transport sector itself, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable global transport network.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Two targets for emissions reduction.
Fig. 2: Black carbon emissions based on heavy-duty vehicle engine type and regional area.

References

  1. CO 2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2018 (International Energy Agency, 2018).

  2. ITF ITF Transport Outlook 2019 (OECD, 2019).

  3. Rogelj, J. et al. in Global Warming of 1.5°C (eds Masson-Delmotte, V. et al.) 93–174 (IPCC, 2019).

  4. Royal Dutch Shell. Shell invests in nature as part of broad drive to tackle CO2 emissions. Shell.com (8 April 2019).

  5. Zimmer, J. & Green, L. All Lyft rides are now carbon neutral. Medium (19 April 2018).

  6. Carbon-Offset Shipping: Delivering a World of Good (Etsy, 2019).

  7. RightShip & South Pole. RightShip and South Pole deliver first reported entirely carbon offset iron ore shipment for Anglo American. RightShip.com (17 May 2019).

  8. Bailis, R., Borekhoff, D. & Lee, C. M. Supply and Sustainability of Carbon Offsets and Alternative Fuels for International Aviation Working Paper 2016-03 (Stockholm Environmental Institute, 2016).

  9. Resolution A39-3: Consolidated Statement of Continuing ICAO Policies and Practices Related to Environmental Protection – Global Market-based Measure (MBM) Scheme (ICAO, 2018).

  10. Clean Development Mechanism / Joint Implementation Pipeline Analysis and Database (UNEP DTU Partnership, 2019).

  11. Unlocking Potential: State of the Voluntary Carbon Markets 2017 (Ecosystem Marketplace, 2017).

  12. Quantification of Climate Related Emission Reductions of Black Carbon and Co-emitted Species due to the Replacement of Less Efficient Cookstoves with Improved Efficiency Cookstoves (The Gold Standard, 2015).

  13. Bond, T. C. et al. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos. 118, 5380–5552 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Miller, J. & Jin, L. Global Progress Towards Soot-Free Diesel Vehicles in 2018 (ICCT, 2018).

  15. Clean Truck Program (Port of Los Angeles, 2019).

  16. Small-scale Methodology: Emission Reductions Through Improved Efficiency of Vehicle Fleets (UNFCCC, 2012).

  17. Platonova-Oquab, A. et al. CDM Reform: Improving the Efficiency and Outreach of the Clean Development Mechanism through Standardization Working Report no. 76564 (World Bank Climate Finance Unit, 2012).

  18. Greene, S. Black Carbon Methodology for the Logistics Sector (Climate and Clean Air Coalition, 2017).

  19. Global Logistics Emissions Council Framework for Logistics Emissions Accounting and Reporting Version 2.0 (Smart Freight Centre, 2019).

  20. Ramanathan, V. & Carmichael, G. Nat. Geosci. 1, 221–227 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suzanne Greene.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Greene, S., Façanha, C. Carbon offsets for freight transport decarbonization. Nat Sustain 2, 994–996 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0413-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0413-0

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing Anthropocene

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research, free to your inbox weekly.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing: Anthropocene