The impact of alternative routeing and packaging scenarios on carbon and sulphate emissions in international wine distribution. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Irina; Sanchez Rodrigues, Vasco; Pettit, Stephen; Beresford, Anthony; Liashko, Rodion
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 58(2018)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: International freight transport -- Wine port/node/route selection -- CO2e reduction -- Sulphate emissions; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2016.08.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: Impact evaluation of ports and bottling facilities locations. Two international wine distribution case studies for UK wine imports. Cost, CO2 e and sulphate emissions are used as metrics. Scenarios evaluated for alternative transport modes, routes and packaging forms. Abstract: There is a large body of research related to carbon footprint reduction in supply chains and logistics from a wide range of sectors; however the decarbonisation of freight transport is mostly explored from a single mode perspective and at a domestic/regional level. This paper takes into account a range of alternative transport modes, routes and methods with particular reference to UK wine imports from two regions: northern Italy and Southeast Australia. The research examines supply chain structures, costs and the environmental impact of international wine distribution to the UK. A number of options are evaluated to calculate the carbon footprint and sulphate emissions of alternative route, mode, method of carriage, and packaging combinations. The estimation of CO2 e emissions incorporates three main elements - cargo mass, distance and method of carriage; sulphate emissions are derived from actual ship routes, engine power and operational speeds. The bottling of wine either at source or close to destination is also taken into consideration. The key findings are: there are major differences between the environmental footprint of different routeing and packaging scenarios; the international shipping leg almost always has a much larger footprint than inland transport within the UK except in the hypothetical case of the rail shipments from Italy using flexitanks. With reference to sulphate, the lowest cost scenario among the sea maximizing options is also the sulphate minimising solution.