Page 53 - Logistics News - September October 2023

GREEN NE W S

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Scania Southern Africa is planting a forest
SCANIA SOUTHERN Africa is planting one tree for every Transport contributes 12 percent to South Africa’s total carbon
customer who partners with it to drive the shift to a sustainable emissions. Of that, freight transport is responsible for 85 percent.
transport solution. Scania’s sustainable transport solutions “The shift to sustainable transport solutions is a collective effort,”
include low-emission Euro 5 vehicles, the soon-to-be-launched says Bergvall, “We can’t do it alone. By partnering with our Scania
Scania Super with Euro 6 engines and zero-emission Scania Sustainability Pioneers, we are working together to reduce the carbon
Battery Electric Vehicles. emissions necessary to limit climate change in southern Africa.”

The trees will be planted in areas where they have the most The shift to sustainable transport solutions offers transport
impact. Many communities in South Africa lack green spaces. operators a competitive advantage. Many companies have
Research links trees to a reduction in crime, better school climate-related targets and are looking across their supply chains

performance and improved health benefits. Every tree planted in for opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. A fleet that includes

a Scania Sustainability Pioneer’s name will create a healthy and sustainable transport solutions could well be a factor to enable
sustainable community ecosystem. transport operators to win in a competitive bid. “By differentiating
as a transport operator with a distinct focus on people and the
“Considering that our roads carry more than 70 percent of planet, your company engages with a sense of purpose and could
all goods transported across South Africa, ensuring that the attract a new customer base who prefers to do business with
effects of climate change are drastically reduced is a pressing sustainably minded suppliers,” says Bergvall.
responsibility,” explains Erik Bergvall, MD, Scania Southern Africa.
As the only heavy vehicle manufacturer to set science-based The costs of inaction are steep, especially if carbon emissions

targets aligned to the Paris Agreement, Scania, together with its continue to rise. Resilient transport interventions can significantly
sustainably minded customers, is taking collective ownership of help to reduce future losses across the transport sector.
its role in climate change. “Already, our vehicles produced in 2023
emit 20 percent fewer carbon emissions than those produced in “We look forward to growing our Scania Southern Africa
2015,” comments Bergvall. “To further increase efficiencies, we Sustainable Forest, with each tree a symbol of the on-the-ground

have introduced optimised vehicle specifications that include partnership we have with our visionary customers,” adds Bergvall.

better powertrains and further fuel efficiencies.” “By managing their operations with less climate impact than their

competitors, they are paving the way for a new and sustainable
In South Africa, the transport sector is the third largest transport system across southern Africa.” A shift that promises to
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with most vehicles deliver long-term benefits for the transport industry, society and the

running off internal combustion engines powered by fossil fuels. environment. •

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