# River shipping’s climate impact is surprisingly large

New research shows that freight transport on rivers produces far more greenhouse gas emissions than previously estimated. The study suggests that inland waterway shipping, often considered a cleaner alternative to trucking, may undermine climate goals if not modernized. These findings could reshape transport policy and investment in greener shipping technology.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Science
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02431-6) — 2026-08-11