New Delhi: India can reduce 10 gigatonnes of cumulative carbon emissions by the next three decades with the optimisation of logistics & supply chains and shift to electric locomotives, said a report by NITI Aayog and RMI.
A report also suggested that India can save logistics fuel worth ₹311 lakh crore between 2020 and 2050 by promoting intermodal transport, efficient rail based transport and various policy measures.
NITI Aayog, RMI and RMI India’s presented key opportunities for India to reduce its logistics costs in a new report on “Fast Tracking Freight in India: A Roadmap for Clean and Cost-Effective Goods Transport.”
According to the report, India has the potential to reduce its logistics cost by 4% of GDP and achieve 10 gigatonnes of cumulative CO2 emissions savings between 2020 and 2050
It can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 35% and 28%, respectively, until 2050.
Due to the rising demand for goods and services, freight transport demand is expected to grow rapidly in the future.
While freight transport is essential to economic development, it is plagued by high logistics costs and contributes to rising CO2 emissions and air pollution in cities, the report said.
It outlined solutions for the freight sector related to policy, technology, market, business models and infrastructure development.
The recommendations include increasing the rail network’s capacity, promoting intermodal transport, improving warehousing and trucking practices, policy measures and pilot projects for clean technology adoption, and stricter fuel economy standards.
When successfully deployed at scale, the proposed solutions can help India establish itself as a leader in logistics innovation and efficiency in the Asia–Pacific region and beyond.
“Freight transportation is a critical backbone of India’s growing economy, and now more than ever, it’s important to make this transport system more cost-effective, efficient, and cleaner,” said Sudhendu J. Sinha, Adviser (Transport and Electric Mobility), NITI Aayog.
“Efficient freight transport will also play an essential role in realising the benefits of existing government initiatives such as Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and Digital India,” he added.
As India’s freight activity grows five-fold by 2050 and about 400 million citizens move to cities, a wholesystem transformation can help uplift the freight sector.
This transformation will be defined by tapping into opportunities such as efficient rail-based transport, the optimisation of logistics and supply chains, and a shift to electric and other clean-fuel vehicles.
These solutions can help India save ₹311 lakh crore cumulatively over the next three decades,” said Clay Stranger, Managing Director, RMI.
