AIT Worldwide Logistics, EPA partnership aims to lower global emissions

Published on: Sep 24, 2020

Transportation management leader commits to 13th year as SmartWay Transport partner

ITASCA, ILLINOIS (Sept. 24, 2020) – With its recent approval of AIT Worldwide Logistics’ 2019 emissions reporting, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) qualified the global logistics industry leader as a member of the agency’s SmartWay Transport Partner program for the 13th year in a row.

Founded in 2004, the SmartWay program is a voluntary public-private group committed to reducing global emissions while also boosting the economy. In the past 16 years, SmartWay has helped eliminate 134 million tons of air pollution, 280 million barrels of oil and $37.5 billion in fuel costs.

AIT’s Executive Vice President, Global Operations, Greg Weigel, said the company was particularly proud to be able to re-up the partnership in the midst of the current COVID-19 crisis, noting that despite a drastic decline in global greenhouse gas emissions earlier this year due to the pandemic, emissions began a sharp rebound in June.

Weigel added that the company has made it a priority throughout the pandemic to remain focused on its goals, commitments and values.

“Doing business ethically and in a way that supports the health and wellbeing of each other and our communities—that’s all part of AIT’s core values,” he said. “Our ongoing partnership with the EPA through the SmartWay program is one way we live those values. By helping to establish incentives for fuel efficiency improvements, AIT is leading the transportation logistics industry on emissions reduction.”

For its more than 3,700 member organizations around the world—including major transportation industry associations, environmental groups, state and local governments and international agencies—SmartWay provides a system for tracking and sharing fuel use and freight emissions information. It also helps members identify and select more energy- and cost-efficient options, support global energy security, offset environmental impacts, and reduce freight transportation-related emissions by accelerating the use of advanced fuel-saving technologies.

Learn more about the EPA’s SmartWay program at aitworldwide.com/smartway-logistics-company-partner or epa.gov/smartway.