Eco-Efficiency: Bis Industries

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Driving Fleet Fuel Efficiency

Key Environmental Performance Area:

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Fleet)

Completed internal benchmarking process to reveal energy efficient equipment and behavior to replicate.

Avoided $128,000 in costs from fleet efficiency improvements since 2012.

Avoided 310 metric tons of GHG emissions since 2012.

All data and information in this case study are as of December 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted.

Challenge

In Australia, trucks represent a significant portion of the country’s transport emissions. In 2012, trucks accounted for 20 percent of transport emissions, or 208 billion tonne-kilometers of transport activity, which could increase as road freight grows to an expected 357 billion tonne-kilometres of transport activity in 2030i.

Bis Industries is a leading provider of specialist logistics solutions to the resources sector in Australia. The company is a member of Australia’s Green Truck Partnership and is focused on reducing fuel use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its vehicle fleet.

Responseii

As part of its work to manage fuel efficiency, in 2014, Bis Industries implemented the following actions:

  • Completed an internal benchmarking process to reveal particularly energy efficient equipment and behaviors to replicate, or inefficiencies to manage.
  • Began implementing best practices learned from pilot programs on the following technology and activities:
    • Investigated auxiliary power systems.
    • Implemented trials for low rolling resistance tires.
    • Conducted driver training.

Results

In 2014, Bis Industries measured and managed fuel consumption at four fleet sites where it has operational control.

In absolute terms, GHG emissions from this portion of the fleet increased approximately 7 percent compared to a 2012 baseline due to an increase in fuel consumption, while efficiency decreased approximately 3 percent (GHG /L/t-1000 hour) during the same period. While efficiency declined in 2014 in certain operations, efficiency improvements compared to the baseline year helped Bis Industries to avoid approximately $122,000 AUS in costs, or approximately $128,000, and an estimated 310 metric tons of GHG emissions since 2012.

Fleet GHG Efficiency (2012 Baseline)
ESTIMATED RESULTS 2013 2014 TOTAL
Avoided GHGs (metric tons) 935 -625 310
Avoided costs $345,000 -$216,000 $128,000

Bis Industries participated in the Green Portfolio Program, joining the effort in 2010. For more on the GPP, visit the “History” page. For more information on Bis Industries’ sustainability program, visit the company's website.

i “Light Vehicle Emissions Standards For Australia Research Report.” June 2014. Australian Government Climate Change Authority, accessed November 20, 2015,http://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/files/files/Light%20Vehicle%20Report/Lightvehiclesreport.pdf.

ii Reported numbers are rounded and may not produce the same results when used to analyze percent changes or total impact. See methodology section for description of avoided and efficiency calculations.