As the world economy slowly emerges from recession, businesses in 2011 will start to refocus on critical sustainability measures that have lost momentum in the last few years. Although the logistics industry accounts for more than 5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable logistics isn’t necessarily a top management priority, and many companies are unwilling to pay a premium for green transport.
While many countries have enacted environmental legislation targeting businesses in recent years, we have no global agreement or clear global targets. The complex network of regulations is an obstacle for logistics companies in establishing a sustainable supply chain because voluntary agreements to reduce emissions are only active in some regions of the world.
The good news is that progress is underway. Global industry leaders are working together and with policy makers to develop consistent regulations for the transportation and logistics sector. This initiative also is financing research- and transportation-related efforts to effectively and efficiently reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Supply chain companies worldwide are helping improve the achievements of their customers through green procurement and innovative solutions along the entire supply chain. Some companies also are increasing the measurement of carbon dioxide consumption at the base level.
We’re on the right track, but we have a long way to go. Ultimately, logistics industry players — from carriers to shippers to forwarders — need to remain committed to collaborating in an effort to agree on a consistent and business case-based approach. The logistics industry would clearly benefit from cooperation between competitors, peers and customers to create global guidelines for sustainable supply chain management. By doing so, we can make great strides in 2011 that move us closer to global logistics sustainability standards that will have an impact for generations to come.