Leading logistics service providers, DHL and UPS, global home furnishing retailer IKEA, and technology leaders HP and Lenovo, supported by partners, Green Transformation Lab[1] and Clean Air Asia[2], have joined together as founding members to incorporate Green Freight Asia as a non-profit association in Singapore, emerging from an informal network created in 2011 by Green Transformation Lab and Clean Air Asia, along with 25 shippers, logistics companies and carriers.

"Logistics costs as percentage of GDP range from about 14% in India and 18% in China to 24% in Indonesia, compared to about 10% in the US, Europe and Japan[3]. Fuel scarcity and rising fuel prices pose a higher risk to economies in Asia." explained Stephan Schablinski, newly appointed Executive Director of Green Freight Asia.

Robert Earley, Transport Program Manager of Clean Air Asia said: "Only 9% of vehicles in Asia are trucks, but they are responsible for 54% of CO2 emissions and a similar proportion of particulate emissions. By orienting shippers, carriers and other players in the logistics industry to focus on improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions from trucks, Asian countries can help address climate change while also making their economies stronger and the air in cities cleaner."[4]

Green Freight Asia will work with its members to develop and promote tools for measuring and reporting fuel consumption and emissions from road freight and identify what technologies and strategies will be most effective for carriers to reduce fuel consumption, such as low rolling resistance tires, equipment to reduce aerodynamic drag, alternative fuels, fleet management and driver training.

A benchmarking scheme will be developed to evaluate and recognize the sustainability efforts of manufacturing companies, freight logistics companies and carriers, and importantly, make these accomplishments visible to consumers and investors. Furthermore, a platform for sharing best practices between member companies will make it easier for others to replicate successes.

The association will also focus on working with Asian governments in developing national green freight programs

Green Freight Asia will create value for its members by helping them to achieve increased fuel efficiency that saves costs and increases business competitiveness, and to recognize the sustainability efforts that are being made, to inform consumers about members' level of commitment to more sustainable transport -- all with the objective of decreasing air pollution and GHG emissions in Asia.

Green Freight Asia is open for companies to join as members, and is also hoping to attract other partner organizations who share the same vision to enable methods and partnerships for industry to accelerate the adoption of sustainable supply chain practices across Asia