J.B. Hunt Launches Carbon Offset Credit Program

J.B. Hunt Transport Services launched new program called Clean Transport that will allow customers to acquire carbon offset credits equivalent to the emissions created by their shipments. 

The program will help customers offset carbon emissions based on lane-specific activity each quarter. Working with third-party organizations, J.B. Hunt will provide program participants with data showing the amount of carbon offsets needed to achieve a carbon neutral shipment and obtain carbon credits supporting the project selected by the customer. Carbon offset projects include reforestation, forest management, regenerative agriculture and clean power generation.

“Many of our customers are working towards short- and long-term sustainability goals, and Clean Transport will serve as a great extension of the efforts they’re already taking to reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chain," said Craig Harper, chief sustainability officer and executive vice president at J.B. Hunt, in a press release.

Clean Transport is available for J.B. Hunt Intermodal customers and will expand to additional service areas as part of the program’s growth. Customers can select which lanes are part of the program, or J.B. Hunt can provide recommendations based on a carbon footprint evaluation of lane activity.

Carbon offset projects available through Clean Transport are verified and registered with recognized organizations such as the American Carbon Registry, Verra, Gold Standard and Climate Action Reserve to confirm that the emission reduction or removal was successful and the intended environmental benefits were executed.

In addition to using energy efficient equipment and alternative fuels, J.B. Hunt avoided an estimated 4.3 million empty miles in 2020 by using its technology platform J.B. Hunt 360 to secure backhaul freight. The company converts over-the-road shipments to intermodal, which on average reduces a shipment’s carbon footprint by 60%. J.B. Hunt also recently announced it plans to expand its intermodal fleet to as many as 150,000 containers in the next three to five years as part of a joint initiative with BNSF Railway.