The challenges of logistics #5: An environmental challenge

In recent years, the world of logistics has undergone constant change and has been faced with a host of challenges. 

In this series of 6 articles, we analyze the issues and their impact on businesses. #5

‍An environmental challenge

The ecological emergency is causing increasing concern on a global scale, with irreversible consequences in many areas. In order to combat global warming, it is essential that companies, individuals and governments make a joint commitment.

A concrete example of this commitment is the adoption by the US Senate, in August 2022, of a $370 billion climate plan. This is the largest investment ever made in the United States in the fight against climate change.

"According to Francis Perrin, Associate Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and Director of Research at IRIS, this bill is a strong signal of America's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

‍The challenge of logistics 

The logistics sector is recognized as one of the most polluting, and this represents a major challenge. Faced with this problem, major companies are showing increasing interest and awareness in the search for long-term sustainable solutions. This involves optimizing packaging, managing returns and, more generally, finding a sustainable balance between the physical and digital worlds.

Unfortunately, the environmental dimension is quite complex. The repercussions are indirect and often linked to consumer behavior.

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"Today, with Covid, we've all seen the explosion in parcel delivery. Volumes this year have exceeded 100 billion parcels a year, 100 billion items of packaging, and with that, all the waste that can be generated..." worries Denis MOURRAIN, CEO of LivingPackets France.

‍Sustainable logistics solutions

To reduce the environmental impact of parcel delivery, the use of new technologies plays a crucial role. However, this depends on the existing solutions proposed by companies in the logistics sector.

In order to meet the challenges of environmental transition while limiting its carbon footprint, the logistics industry needs to rethink its production methods. 

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There are many ways of doing this:

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• Regularly renew the fleet of vehicles to use less polluting diesel models or adopt trucks running on alternative energy sources such as gas or electricity;
• Encourage delivery solutions using electric vehicles or private individuals making similar journeys;
• Optimize trailer loading to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions;
• Installing and managing carbon-neutral buildings;
• Use effective traceability systems for pallets;
• Simplify the supply chain 
• Use recyclable packaging solutions and other products…

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Last episode : The challenges of logistics #4: A technological challenge

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