The Clean Freight Transport partnership implemented monitoring devices in freight trucks to measure greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in Bogotá, Colombia.
P4G provided this partnership with $75,000 in catalytic grant funding.
After Bogotá issued an environmental alert for poor air quality in 2019, the Clean Freight Transport partnership set out to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensure cleaner air for the city. The partnership enabled greater logistics efficiency and emissions reductions through the development of a portable, reusable device that was installed in participating vehicles. The Internet of Things (IoT)-based device transmits and stores air pollutant indicators while the vehicle is in use. Data from each registered vehicle is available through an interactive online platform, allowing companies to track their GHG emission reductions. The partnership also developed an eco-efficient driving course for the city’s freight drivers to minimize pollution.
The partnership took an intersectional approach by bringing together the partners’ expertise: EAN University led the IoT device development and the mathematical model to collect and estimate the GHG emissions; Universidad del Rosario developed the website and dashboard for the analysis, processing and visualization of the data; ANDI engaged companies to participate; TIGO and AWS provided the sim cards and cloud space respectively for real-time data transfer; and ProBogotá Región worked with public officials to align with city and national emission priorities. The pilot garnered participation from important Colombian companies, such as Terpel, Corona, Postobon, Noel, La Recetta, Disan, Vanti, Dragon and Opperar.
These technologies and access to results will enable participating companies to design strategies and allocate investments toward clean technologies to improve their logistics, while helping public authorities design data-informed policies such as technology incentives or pollution fees. Meanwhile researchers, city planners, and private sector organizations can build on these vital emissions data to study additional improvements. This could significantly reduce health risks related to pollution for Bogota’s residents.
Through its implementation of the measurement devices, the partnership demonstrated the viable market and commercial value for companies to green their transport logistics. Going forward, Clean Freight Transport aims to share lessons learned with other associations and future partnerships while enhancing the sustainable driving training course for further positive environmental impacts.
Lowering emissions in freight
Energy Transition
Completed
Besides the funding that P4G provided to the project, partnering with P4G was strategic not only to add objectiveness and technical rigor, but also ensure international standards and good practices, which were fundamental to engage large companies in the measurement of GHG and to connect the project with local and national authorities.