The Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, has partnered with climate leadership network C40 Cities to launch Laneshift, an initiative aimed at tackling carbon emissions in developing countries through zero-emission freight. The goal is to accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and the deployment of EV trucks in cities in India and Latin America, such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bogotá, Medellin, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Quito, and Mexico City. The Climate Pledge has committed $10 million to jumpstart the project.
Amazon has been actively working to decarbonize its transportation network, operating over 9,000 electric delivery vehicles in the U.S. and Europe in 2022. The company has also partnered with Rivian to deploy 100,000 electric vehicles by 2030 and has plans to have 10,000 EVs in India by 2025.
Road freight alone emitted more than 2.2 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2020, doubling the emissions of air, sea, and rail freight combined. Laneshift aims to address this issue by electrifying truck fleets and reducing greenhouse emissions. The initiative will bring together private and public sector stakeholders, city governments, and non-government organizations to create a roadmap for transitioning to EV freight.
In a separate collaboration, container shipping giants Maersk and CMA CGM are teaming up to decarbonize the ocean shipping industry. They will work together to promote alternative, greener fuels for container vessel propulsion and set higher standards for sustainable fuels. They will also explore other components of the net zero solution, such as ammonia and innovative technologies.
These partnerships reflect a growing commitment from major players in the shipping and logistics industry to reduce carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable practices. By working together and investing in clean technologies, they aim to create a greener future and mitigate the environmental impact of global trade.
Sources: Sourcing Journal, International Transport Forum