The impacts of climate change on the national freight sector

Purpose – The UK road freight sector is an example of an economically important sector that can be viewed from two different perspectives with regards to climate change: firstly, as a significant contributor to the problem in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, and secondly as a likely recipient of significant impacts (both positive and negative) of any resulting change in climate, especially any increase in extreme weather. It is this relatively neglected second perspective, freight as a vulnerable sector, which is explored. Methodology/approach – The way in which the freight sector develops in the future will be explored both in terms of the future type of freight operations and potential changes in vehicle technology. Findings – There is a need to understand how the overlying socioeconomic scenario influences the development of the freight sector. Originality/value – The examination of the impact of climate change on the freight sector is a particularly original aspect of this chapter.