Episode 12: Part 2 | Climate Logistics: Decarbonization and the Five Levers with Professor Alan McKinnon

Episode 12: Part 2 | Climate Logistics: Decarbonisation and the Five Levers

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In this episode of Smart Freight Conversations: The Climate Logistics Series, we continue our exploration of logistics’ role in addressing the climate crisis with Professor Emeritus Alan McKinnon at Kühne Logistics University and a globally recognized authority on freight and transport decarbonization.

Hosted by Andy Golding, Head of Academy at Smart Freight Centre, this episode focuses on the Five Levers of Freight Decarbonization — a practical framework for reducing logistics-related emissions.

What Are the Five Levers?
Professor McKinnon identifies five core levers that logistics and supply chain professionals must pull to make meaningful progress toward net zero:

Manage total demand for freight transport

Reduce or slow the growth of freight movements through better logistics planning and product design.

Shift freight to lower carbon transport modes

Move goods from high-emission modes like road to more efficient options such as rail or inland waterways.

Improve the utilization of freight transport capacity

Maximize load factors, reduce empty running, and enhance collaboration to share logistics assets.

Increase the energy efficiency of logistics operations

Optimize routes, invest in more efficient vehicles, and adopt operational best practices.

Transition to low-carbon energy in the logistics sector

Accordion DesReplace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as electricity, hydrogen, or sustainable fuels.cription
Navigating Barriers and Embracing Collaboration
From fragmented industry structures to infrastructure limitations, there are clear challenges in applying these levers. Yet, as Professor McKinnon emphasizes, collaboration, policy support, and mindset shifts can unlock significant progress. Efforts like modal shift, asset sharing, and energy efficiency improvements offer scalable, near-term climate wins — especially when supported by the right regulatory and economic signals.

Missed Part 1?
Start the series from the beginning to understand the full concept of Climate Logistics and the eight key roles logistics plays in the climate crisis.

Continue to Part 3 [Coming Soon]
In the final episode, we explore how decarbonization and resilience intersect in the logistics sector — and why supply chains must adapt to climate risks without slowing down emissions reduction efforts.
Want to learn more about this topic? Enroll in SFC Academy courses, or explore other educational resources in Sustainable Logistics:

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