Diageo North America has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a voluntary collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Diageo NA will contribute to the Partnership’s goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of their freight operations. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog.

“We are focused on reducing our impact to the environment and joining SmartWay is a natural step forward in this direction,” said Erik Snyder, VP Logistics at Diageo NA. “What is great about this program is that SmartWay is truly looking to partner with the industry.”

In February, SmartWay participated in Diageo’s Annual Carrier Conference and helped educate the company and it’s carriers on options that reduce carbon emissions in the transportation industry. 

Diageo says they are continuing their focus on reducing emissions and in the past year has reduced its transportation emissions by 12%.  The company is also adding an environmental award in 2009 called the Johnnie Walker Green award - after a famous member of the company’s Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky family of brands.

Launched in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of fuel per year. The Partnership brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, and logistics companies to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies. The Partnership currently has over 250 Partners.  For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit http://www.epa.gov/smartway.