China's freight sector carbon emissions hit 1.47B tons in 2024

A comprehensive 2026 research study from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics reveals that China's freight industry carbon emissions increased from 1.31 billion tons in 2022 to 1.47 billion tons in 2024, driven primarily by road freight which accounts for 87-88% of total energy consumption. This growth is occurring even as China commits to peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, creating significant pressure on logistics networks to rapidly decarbonize.

The study identifies road freight as the dominant but least efficient transport mode, representing approximately 73.5% of total freight volume. To meet China's climate targets, researchers recommend a systemic transition including modal shift toward electrified rail and coastal waterways, accelerated deployment of electric trucks, integration of sustainable fuels in air and maritime shipping, and inclusion of freight in carbon markets.

This structural transformation represents both a regulatory imperative and a strategic opportunity for logistics operators to reduce operating costs through improved efficiency. For global supply chain professionals, China's freight sector transition signals that logistics networks serving the region must prepare for higher compliance costs, potential constraints on fossil fuel-powered transport capacity, and opportunities to gain competitive advantage through early adoption of low-carbon logistics solutions.