Road freight operators urged to have their say on decarbonisation

Taking the step into a lower carbon road transport environment is not as simple as flicking a switch.

Businesses looking to make the move are weighing up capital costs, infrastructure availability, vehicle suitability, and productivity impacts against the potential for lower future running costs and, particularly for those publicly listed companies, the positive commercial impact of meeting corporate social responsibility targets.

In this environment, Australia’s National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) is calling on local operators to have their say on the future of decarbonisation by taking part in the International Road Transport Union’s (IRU) Green Compact Survey.

NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says the survey provides operators with the opportunity to ensure the challenges facing Australian businesses are recognised in discussions around decarbonisation policy and investment.

“Decarbonisation remains one of the biggest challenges facing they heavy vehicle industry, but Australian operators need practical, achievable, pathways that reflect commercial realities,” Clark says. 

“By participating in the IRU Green Compact Survey, operators can help ensure governments and industry leaders better understand the barriers businesses are facing, including cost pressures, infrastructure limitations and uncertainty around future technology.

“The more operators who contribute, the stronger the data will be in demonstrating what the industry needs to successfully reduce emissions, while continuing to keep freight moving.”

Last year’s IRU Green Compact Survey Report identified that Australia’s fleets, on average, are older than their European counterparts, and many businesses remained concerned about the costs and practicalities of moving to lower carbon vehicles.

“The industry will need a range of tools and technologies to reduce emissions, including improvements tha can be made today through better fuel management, maintenance practices and driver training,” Clark says.

“This is why NatRoad released the Get Fleet Fit initiative in 2024, which is designed to support operators to reduce fuel costs through efficient fuel management practices, comply with new environmental standards and meet customer expectations.”