Australia's transport sector must improve sustainability

The Australian transport sector will need to ramp up its efforts if it hopes to meet Australia’s increased emissions reduction targets of 43% by 2030, according to connected transport solution provider Geotab.

The company’s new 2022 sustainability and impact report explores how data intelligence can help drive success in the decarbonisation of the transportation industry.

According to the company, with a limited supply of light and heavy electric vehicles (EV) and a National EV Strategy now in the works, the Australian commercial transportation sector must consider all ways it can play a more active role in Australia’s sustainability agenda, which also includes a target of achieving net zero by 2050.

Geotab VP for Latin America, Asia and Australia/New Zealand Sean Killen said fleet managers across Australia can take action towards reducing global emissions by transitioning to EVs and adopting other sustainable fleet practices, which include idling and fuel usage reductions.

“Australian fleets are currently lagging behind their global peers in their decarbonisation efforts. However, this is expected to change due to the impending shutdown of Telstra’s 3G network in 2024,” he said.

“Investing in connected transportation solutions and data insights in the near term will not only help achieve sustainability goals but also lead to financial benefits such as lower fuel and maintenance costs, and reduced CO₂ emissions across the country.”

In addition to improving sustainability, switching to EVs can help transport industry companies save millions through lower fuel maintenance costs, he said.

The report also explores Geotab’s own efforts to improve its sustainability. The company has a target of net zero emissions by 2040. As part of its commitment, Geotab has set a goal of having 100% of its top 10 suppliers by spend make a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Geotab is also a signatory to the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, and recently opened the Automotive Innovation and Research Hub in High Wycombe, England, to help contribute to global vehicle electrification efforts.

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