Freight: A Major Contributor to Global Emissions
Freight transport accounts for approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions and more than 30% of all transport-related CO₂. As the backbone of global trade, freight connects supply chains across continents — but at a significant environmental cost.
Emissions by Transport Mode
Not all modes of transport are created equal when it comes to carbon intensity. Here’s how they compare:
🚢 Maritime Freight
Maritime transport handles 70% of global freight traffic (in tonne-kilometres) but accounts for 37% of freight emissions. It remains the most carbon-efficient mode for long-distance, high-volume shipments, but its sheer scale makes it a significant contributor overall.
🚛 Road Freight
Road transport carries only 18% of freight traffic yet is responsible for a disproportionate 53% of freight emissions. The carbon intensity of trucking is much higher per tonne-kilometre than maritime or rail, making it a priority target for decarbonization.
✈️ Air Freight
Air freight represents less than 1% of freight traffic but generates 7% of freight emissions. In terms of carbon intensity, air freight emits approximately 50 times more CO₂e per tonne-kilometre than maritime transport.
🚆 Rail Freight
Rail is one of the most efficient modes, with low carbon intensity per tonne-kilometre — especially when electrified. However, its share of global freight remains limited by infrastructure availability.
| Mode | Share of Traffic | Share of Emissions | Relative CO₂e Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime | ~70% | ~37% | 1× (baseline) |
| Road | ~18% | ~53% | ~10× |
| Air | <1% | ~7% | ~50× |
| Rail | ~11% | ~3% | ~1–2× |
A Growing Challenge
Global freight demand is expected to double by 2050. Without significant action, freight emissions could increase by 22% or more over the same period. This makes decarbonization of freight not just an environmental imperative but a strategic business priority.
🔑 Key Takeaways
The disparity between traffic share and emission share is stark: road and air freight are disproportionately carbon-intensive. With demand set to double, shippers must act now — through better measurement and targeted reduction strategies.
What’s Next?
Learn how to accurately measure your freight emissions in the next course: How to Measure Freight Emissions?