Driving Forward: Innovations in Low-Carbon Transportation

Nov 29, 2024

This week, we’re diving into the innovations pushing low-carbon transportation forward across the globe. Our Featured Article showcases how Goodwings, a B Corporation based in Denmark, is addressing the sustainability gap in the travel sector is addressing this challenge by making biofuel accessible and affordable, enabling businesses to decarbonize trips efficiently and move beyond traditional offsetting.

In our Essential Reads, we highlight a range of transformative projects. From a solar-powered e-motorcycle trekking across Africa to Abu Dhabi’s AI-driven mobility and Girteka’s emissions-cutting logistics program spotlight diverse paths toward decarbonizing transportation.

In Research Corner, a study from Production and Operations Management offers a cautionary view on automated vehicles (AVs). While AVs are hailed as efficient, their popularity could draw riders away from public transit, potentially worsening urban congestion. Policies promoting sustainable AV use will be key to achieving lasting urban mobility improvements.

Let’s delve into these innovations reshaping our journey toward a low-carbon future!

Featured Article:

Making Business Travel Greener

In a recent Forbes article, I delve into how Copenhagen-based travel provider Goodwings is disrupting the aviation industry. By reallocating hotel booking revenues to fund biofuels and carbon offsets, Goodwings empowers businesses to cut emissions from their travel. This innovative model enables companies to reduce flight emissions by up to 100% on domestic trips—all while offering affordable rates compared to traditional biofuel purchasing.

Goodwings’ approach bridges a critical gap between sustainability goals and practical implementation, making decarbonization accessible for more businesses. CEO Christian Møller-Holst highlights how this strategy aligns with both the Paris Agreement and evolving sustainability standards, driving impact while maintaining transparency through third-party audits. This initiative exemplifies how industry-specific solutions can drive environmental change.

Essential Reads:

Solar-Powered Journey Across Africa

A solar-powered e-motorcycle built in Africa completed a 6,000-km journey from Kenya to South Africa, highlighting the continent's commitment to sustainable mobility. Designed for African terrain by Stellenbosch University and Roam, this journey demonstrated renewable energy's potential for remote regions, overcoming challenges and inspiring communities with clean transportation innovation.

Sustainable Logistics Innovation

Girteka's Alternative Fuel Programme (AFP) uses Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to help customers reduce road transport emissions by up to 90%, aligning with EU climate goals. The program offers transparent, traceable emissions data, enhancing corporate sustainability reports and reputation while supporting decarbonization in logistics.

Abu Dhabi Mobility Wins Seoul Smart City Prize for Tech Innovation

Abu Dhabi Mobility’s STEAM+ framework has won the Seoul Smart City Prize in the Tech-InnovaCity category. Utilizing AI and big data, STEAM+ analyzes mobility patterns and predicts future transport needs, advancing smart, sustainable urban transport. This achievement underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovative, eco-friendly urban mobility solutions and enhances its global reputation in smart transportation.

Accelerating the Green Transition in Mobility

The mobility sector lags in reducing emissions, due to legacy systems, rigid regulations, and traditional procurement practices. Startups could drive innovation with fresh ideas, tech-first approaches, and diverse, sustainable transport options. Policy shifts supporting startups are essential to enable the low-carbon transformation needed to meet global climate goals.

eVTOL Logistics Collaboration

ADNOC, AD Ports Group, e&, and Multi Level Group signed an agreement to explore eVTOL-based logistics, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize carbon emissions. This collaboration, backed by Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, positions Abu Dhabi as a leader in sustainable, autonomous transport innovation, supporting the UAE’s technological and environmental goals.

Expanding EV Charging Through IoT

AT&T partners with Voltpost to retrofit lampposts with IoT-enabled EV charging points across Michigan. This collaboration enhances connectivity, cuts installation costs, and supports sustainable urban infrastructure, making EV charging more accessible for communities. The initiative aligns with AT&T’s “gigaton goal” to reduce emissions and Voltpost’s mission for affordable, modular EV charging solutions.

Intelligent Rail Transformation

Geospatial Ventures Ltd's ASLAN system, part of BCIMO's Clean Futures Accelerator, uses GNSS technology to improve rail safety, efficiency, and environmental impact. With precise navigation and positioning, ASLAN enhances fuel efficiency, reduces operational costs, and supports the sustainability of rail infrastructure, particularly for Very Light Rail systems.

Research Corner:

In the article “Unintended consequences of automated vehicles and pooling for urban transportation systems” published in Production and Operations Management, Naumov, Keith, and Fine (2020) examine the paradoxical effects of automated vehicles (AVs) on urban transit. While AVs and pooling are often seen as greener and more efficient solutions, this study warns that their popularity may pull riders away from public transit, further worsening congestion and decreasing transit quality. The researchers highlight the need for policies that discourage excess driving if AVs are to promote genuinely sustainable urban mobility.

The regenerative business practices and sustainability innovations highlighted in this week's Regenerative Insights directly tackle the critical issues of corporate responsibility explored in my recent book explored in my recent book, The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost.

Quick Takeaways:

Solar Mobility Feasibility: A solar-powered e-motorcycle journey proves clean mobility in remote regions is possible.
Greener Logistics: Girteka’s fuel program cuts transport emissions by 90%, aiding corporate sustainability.
Smart Mobility in Abu Dhabi: STEAM+ uses AI for efficient, sustainable urban transit solutions.
Boosting Low-Carbon Innovation: Startups can accelerate sustainable transport with fresh, tech-forward ideas.
eVTOL for Logistics: Abu Dhabi explores eVTOL to cut emissions and enhance transport efficiency.
Expanded EV Charging: AT&T’s IoT lamppost chargers increase EV access, supporting urban sustainability.
Sustainable Rail Tech: ASLAN’s GNSS enhances rail safety and fuel use, supporting eco-friendly transit.

Regenerative Insights