Why American Freight is Facing a Carbon Emissions Crisis

The logistics industry, particularly truck freight transport, is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

A report from InTek Logistics anticipates a sharp 7% increase in total emissions from US truck freight in 2025.

This intensifying challenge places pressure on the logistics sector to seek and implement more sustainable operational pathways.

Why are emissions rising?

One key finding from InTek Logistics is the most emission-intensive freight corridors across the United States.

Texas, California and Illinois are highlighted as the top contributors to CO₂ emissions within the industry.

A combination of factors contributes to this, including traffic congestion, which exacerbates idle times for transport vehicles—a substantial concern given the detrimental link between prolonged vehicle idle times and increased emissions output.

In 2023, US truck freight was responsible for emitting a staggering 392 million metric tons of CO₂, with projections indicating a rise to 420 million tonnes in 2025.

This uptick in emissions is the equivalent environmental footprint of adding more than six million cars to the roads.

Rick LaGore, Co-Founder and CEO at InTek Logistics, highlights the urgency of addressing this issue: “The predicted increase in carbon emissions in Texas and across the rest of the US is alarming.

"Sustainability credentials are increasingly becoming an expectation rather than a nice to have, as regulations change, and consumer and stakeholder expectations evolve. It is therefore vital that shippers try to mitigate their impact on the environment.”

What solutions are there?

Analysis by InTek Logistics, leveraging data from the Federal Highway Administration and the Freight Analysis Framework, reveals that Texas mirrors national trends with an anticipated 12% increase in emissions from 51 million tonnes to 57 million tonnes in 2025.

Following closely are California and Illinois, with expected increases of 13% and significant single-digit increases in other states like Florida and Ohio.

This upward trend in emissions from freight transport isn't confined to Texas alone; major urban centres are also significant contributors.

Los Angeles, known for its massive ports—Los Angeles and Long Beach—and high urban freight traffic, tops the chart with expected increases from 16 million tonnes to 18 million tonnes.

On the other hand, cities like Detroit benefit from a heavier reliance on rail transport for long-haul freight, thus moderating their trucking-related emissions.

Rick also stresses the potential of intermodal transport in tackling emissions: “Using intermodal transportation is a simple way to improve sustainability as it reduces the number of trucks on the road and offers far more fuel efficiency than trucking.

"Just one intermodal train can carry the equivalent of 280 trucks. This makes intermodal a powerhouse in reducing carbon footprints by 60% as compared to trucking.” 

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