The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that it will form a partnership with the Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT) to expand efforts to reduce diesel emissions in and around US ports. The partnership will expand upon the CRT’s impressive accomplishments and leverage the market power of America’s largest shippers to make further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, said RILA.
“CRT’s leadership and innovative market-based approach to reducing diesel emissions has yielded impressive results at the ports of Southern California. Retailers are committed in improving air-quality in and around ports, and their investment in equipment and pursuit of innovative practices are widely recognized. This partnership will allow retailers and the broader shipping community to collaborate to achieve shared goals,” said Casey Chroust, RILA executive vice president for retail operations.
Founded in 2007, CRT has been a leading advocate for the implementation of practical and responsible solutions that reduce port truck pollution without disrupting the flow of commerce, said RILA. CRT members include national shippers, ocean carriers, drayage providers and equipment manufacturers—which all have made substantial investments in cleaning up our nation’s air quality, said a RILA statement.
“Working closely together, CRT members have significantly reduced carbon emissions at the ports. This partnership will expand this successful effort and further improve the air quality in these regions,” said Rick Gabrielson, director of import transportation for Target Corporation and president of CRT.
Since the launch of the Los Angeles and Long Beach Clean Truck Program, CRT member companies have deployed nearly 2,000 model-year-2007 or newer trucks into drayage service in Southern California. These new clean trucks emit 80% fewer air pollutants than older trucks serving the port, have been privately financed by CRT members, and have been voluntarily deployed three years ahead of the port’s deadlines, continued Gabrielson.
CRT has also been involved in the development and implementation of industry-supported clean truck programs across the country including the ports of Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma and New York/New Jersey, with additional ports on the horizon.
“We are immensely proud of the achievements to date, and welcome this partnership and the opportunity it presents to demonstrate our commitment to air-quality and responsible environmental stewardship,” said James Jack, executive director of CRT.
RILA and its members actively pursue and promote environmental sustainability in numerous ways. In 2007, RILA launched the RILA Sustainability Initiative (RSI), a collaborative initiative designed to help leading retail companies meet and exceed environmental standards by pursuing environmentally sustainable activities and responsible business practices.
Both RILA and CRT are members of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Program. Smartway is an innovative collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry, designed to increase energy and fuel efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. RILA is also a member of SmartWay’s Shipper Stakeholder Committee, which provides input toward the continued development of the program, and is a partner with EPA’s Energy Star and WasteWise programs.
“RILA and its members are dedicated to the pursuit of operational innovations and partnerships, such as this, that further share environmental goals,” said Kelly Kolb, RILA vice president for global supply chain policy.
