Accelerating uptake of LEFV solutions by companies
More governments and companies are setting climate targets, including for freight and logistics, with the end goal of zero emissions before 2050. For shippers that make use of road freight to ship materials and products to their destinations, multiple solutions such as biofuels and electric and in future potentially hydrogen can be effective strategies to reduce emissions. Freight buyers, both shippers and logistics service providers, have the unique position to drive the LEFV transition in their sectors, by influencing their carriers.
Since March 2020, the Low Emission Fuels and Vehicles (LEFV) project provides a platform for all freight actors to discuss and understand the decarbonization potential and practical challenges in adopting LEFV solutions. The project is carried out under the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) that is managed by Smart Freight Centre.
In Phase 3, which started in October 2021, we built upon the success of previous phases, and focus on developing detailed guidance on the use of biofuels in the road freight sector. The LEFV project produced several reports in Phase 3 providing a comprehensive view into the application of biofuels. The scope of Phase 4 is currently being developed by the LEFV working group.
What does the LEFV program deliver?
The LEFV Phase 3 program consists of three related projects to introduce, report, decide and collaborate on LEFV solutions:
Practical guidance on the use of biofuels for road freight
Biofuels are as diverse as they come. Not only do they differ in how they are finally used, i.e. in blends and compatible engines, they are also produced from a wide variety of feedstock, supplied from all over the world, and processed using different methods. Each of these factor into how much lifecycle emissions reduction potential they offer and what other kinds of sustainability impacts they create. The topic of sustainability is an important one to delve into as it has far-reaching consequences to meeting the sustainability commitments of shippers, as well it becomes a factor in light of the changing legislative landscape. The guidance that will be produced within the scope of this work intends to clarify what these complexities mean for the road freight sector in the EU, as well as to provide general information on practical issues related to fuel/blend availability and prices, vehicle compatibility, and emissions calculation.
Emission factor development for biofuels in road freight
The LEFV project works in tandem with the development of emission factors for the update to the GLEC Framework and for the ISO14083 standard. These default emission factors enable a standardized approach to be used in GHG emissions accounting. The project calculates the emission factors for bio-based substitutes of diesel, gasoline and liquified natural gas (LNG): biodiesel (FAME), renewable diesel (HVO), ethanol and liquified biomethane (LBM). As the range of emission factor values for each biofuel could be large, depending primarily on the feedstock and inclusion of biogenic and indirect land use change emissions, the project will develop a pragmatic approach to propose representative values for the GLEC framework and ISO standard.
Formally setup of a GLEC Working Group on Energy Source Sustainability and Emission Factors
The LEFV project working group set up a permanent GLEC sub-group that focuses on energy source sustainability and emission factors. We will develop principles and rules for the working group and a work program for the short to long term. This will involve discussions within the group, within the organizations, but also with external parties. The working group will become the basis for supporting other SFC and GLEC initiatives, as well as to create a platform for increased collaboration among members.
How can you participate in this program?
- Give feedback on emission factor updates and their application for low emission fuels
- Give feedback on guidance documents – the content, structure and coverage of topics
- Help shape the new working group on Energy Sources Sustainability and Emission Factors
- Explore collaboration with other shippers and institutions/players to work with to implement LEFV solutions
How do you benefit from this program?
- Influence GLEC emission calculation methodologies and factors
- Get more complete and reliable emission calculation results and information on LEFV solutions in different countries
- Increase speed and effectiveness of LEFV solutions implementation through collaboration
Project partners
The project is carried out together with GLEC partners and part of it is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO). Partners include:
Publications & Activities
- The potential of Bio-LNG in decarbonizing Logistics: published March 2022
- Sustainability criteria report for biofuels: August 2022
- Practical guidance on biodiesel and renewable diesel: August 2022
- Comparison of greenhouse gas accounting principles between the US and the EU: August 2022
- Initiation of Working Group on Energy Sources Sustainability and Emission Factors
Get involved!
For further information about this project, contact Tharsis Teoh at tharsis.teoh@smartfreightcentre.org
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