EPA SmartWay

Freight Matters to Supply Chain Sustainability! Global trade has a net positive effect on the world economy. However, associated freight transportation produces adverse impacts on the environment and public health.

U.S. trends point to rapid growth in freight activity:
- Between 1990 and 2013, freight activity grew by over 50 percent and is projected to nearly double again by 2040.
- Experts project that by 2050, global freight transport emissions will surpass those from passenger vehicles.

These trends compel many corporations to seek opportunities to assess and streamline shipping operations so they can use less fuel and generate less pollution.

To address these trends and challenges, EPA developed the SmartWay program. Launched in 2004, this voluntary public-private program:
- provides a comprehensive and well-recognized system for tracking, documenting and sharing information about fuel use and freight emissions across supply chains.
- helps companies identify and select more efficient freight carriers, transport modes, equipment, and operational strategies to improve supply chain sustainability and lower costs from goods movement.
- supports global energy security and offsets environmental risk for companies and countries.
- reduces freight transportation-related emissions by accelerating the use of advanced fuel-saving technologies.
- is supported by major transportation industry associations, environmental groups, state and local governments, international agencies, and the corporate community.