“Focusing on transportation will allow us to maka a change”
In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it is essential to work with the transport of goods. Within CoAction there is therefore a freight group consisting, among others, of participants from ACES, Alfa Laval, Lund University, Tetra Pak and also Grafikpakking He is a friend in the project. The group is led by Cassandra Waad, who is also responsible for the evaluation of ESS transports carried out within the project.
The evaluation was carried out in collaboration with 4PL Central Station Nordic AB and has meant, among other things, that the ESS now has a starting point for figuring out what different changes entail. It can be a choice of mode of transport, such as road or train instead of air. It can also involve different fuels, such as using HVO (environmental diesel) or electric vehicles instead of fossil fuel vehicles.
Measuring emissions and obtaining regular CO₂ reports is a crucial part of this work. By monitoring transport data, organisations can identify which parts of the logistics chain account for the largest emissions and thus make more accurate decisions.
- An important part of the transition is precisely the balancing of environmental benefits, cost and lead time, says Cassandra Waad. Finding the right balance requires planning, follow-up, and sometimes also changing purchasing practices.
ESS has chosen a transport service that allows you to choose between many different carriers and always figure out the best option.
“By using a 4PL solution, we have the opportunity to be flexible based on ESS requirements. A 4PL operator acts as an independent coordinator between different carriers and enables a comprehensive understanding of the logistics chain. This means that ESS can control both delivery routes and modes of transport based on factors such as environmental impact, cost and lead time — while ensuring that emissions targets are met. For example, when we choose HVO over conventional diesel, or in the long term electric vehicles where possible, 4PL can directly calculate the difference in CO2 emissions and provide us with the basis for making climate-conscious decisions,” explains Cassandra Waad.
Other measures that ESS has identified as effective include raising customer awareness and investing in internal communication.
“ESS is currently at a stage where we are transitioning from project phase to operational operation and plan to deliver our first research in 2027,” says Cassandra Waad. With this transition, we need to be agile and apply new procedures and working methods for transport and logistics. A particular challenge in the research sector is that there are no smooth or predictable transport flows, which makes it extra important to create internal awareness and clear processes.
ESS holds regular “Meet & Greet” meetings where they raise various logistical challenges and conditions in the logistics industry.
- Here we meet scientists, engineers and other ESSs and respond to their concerns - and also try to develop their awareness of sustainability and circular strategies. Focusing on transport already in the planning phase and providing early information on logistical conditions creates opportunities for both economic and environmental savings.
It has also proven to be important to include transport in the business policy.
“The freight group wants to introduce a policy supplement with clear guidelines for how the transport booking process should be managed, where not only cost and lead time but also carbon emissions are considered,” says Cassandra Waad. The project aims to evaluate the possibility of harmonizing the policies of the activities in order to give greater force to the market, so that carriers can be found that comply with environmental requirements and may even be able to adapt their vehicle fleet. We are also exploring the possibility of making it possible to price emissions using a fixed price for carbon sinks. By then internalising the cost of the carbon sink corresponding to the emissions with the transport cost, the cost gaps between fossil-free and standardised transport are smoothed.
The results are taken further within CoAction, where an important part is the knowledge exchange that takes place between the different activities.
“At our CoAction meetings, we have inspired each other and shared our experiences. We look at each other's challenges and share knowledge about how we can work with both environmental awareness and a holistic perspective to change. It can be about changing delivery terms in contracts or learning from each other how to make procurements with sustainability requirements as a natural part. We will also test what we call a “control tower” — a function that can coordinate transport within the city and thereby reduce unnecessary driving. A control tower acts as a central hub where data from multiple actors is collected in real time.
Another important area of CoAction is the work on charging infrastructure. CoAction's energy side is now exploring the possibilities of creating joint solutions for charging both heavy and light vehicles. Through collaboration between several activities, existing electricity capacity can be used more efficiently, plan for future needs and, in the long run, contribute to a completely fossil-free transport chain in the region.
The goods group within CoAction is open for more people to participate in, and the group welcomes new ideas and initiatives. The goal is for collaboration to lead to concrete results.