J.B. Hunt: the trucking company that shifted into carbon efficiency
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (Hunt) is one of the largest truck-load transportation and logistics companies in North America with shipping operations that criss-cross the continent. Their corporate culture has always strived for efficiency in their operations, but Blue Source was able to make Hunt aware of the opportunity to apply that innovation to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Blue Source began working with Hunt in 2003, evaluating activities undertaken by the company that were impacting emissions. Blue Source developed new methodologies, enabling the quantification of emission reductions created each year from Hunt’s ongoing initiatives and innovative projects. These emission reductions were verified by third parties, reviewed by independent non-governmental organizations and sold on public registries. Revenues created through the sale of greenhouse gas emission reductions were directly used to fund new emission reduction projects within Hunt.
Significant emission reductions were created through Hunt’s strategic shipping change from trucking to intermodal, using rail for the longest distances, while still relying on trucks for the shorter pick-ups and deliveries between terminals. Rail transportation was found to generate only one third of the emissions generated by truck transportation. Hunt also implemented an Idling Bonus Program to monetarily reward drivers and their driver managers for reducing unnecessary engine idling.
Blue Source continues to work with Hunt on implementing projects to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through initiatives such as decreasing diesel fuel consumption, including implementing a speed reduction program and installing automatic idle shut off devices. With input from Blue Source, Hunt continues to explore new opportunities for reducing emissions. Current field tests include the utilization of biodiesel and installation of auxiliary power units to reduce engine idling.
Through its work with Blue Source, the J.B. Hunt corporate culture now views proposed projects and investments in light of their environmental impact and effect on emissions. Hunt has become an industry leader in sustainability and is now a member of the US EPA’s Smartway Transport Partners program.
