Sustainability dimensions in goods movement

The following page explains you why logistics needs to become more sustainable and what measures can be taken to make the elements and relationships of the conceptual system model of transport and traffic more sustainable.

The reliability of (not only) global supply chains is severely jeopardised by climatic events. Trains and trucks are prevented from continuing their journeys by freezing rain or snow. Transport by water is not possible all year round or only at reduced speed or capacity. Due to water level fluctuations, especially in the free-flowing sections of the rivers caused by precipitation and melting snow, ships cannot travel all year round. When the water level is low, the ships have too great a draught and therefore cannot use the waterways. If the water level is too high, the ships cannot pass the bridges as they are not high enough.

The survival of companies from an economic perspective depends on a variety of framework conditions. From the marketing side, it is primarily the customer who determine the future of the companies. Hence, companies are analyzing what influences customers in their purchasing decisions and figuring out their sustainability mindset. At the same time, however, the political framework conditions are placing even greater demands on companies to operate in a sustainable manner. Competitors are also adapting to this, so that their activities also represent benchmarks for the own company. Benchmarks of companies are also used by financiers and insurers of the companies, which are becoming increasingly important.

Sustainability in the Conceptual System Model of Transport and Traffic

In order to make the goods movement more sustainable, different measures can be taken by different stakeholders. The following figure “Measures to improve the sustainability of goods movement” shows, which different measures can make the elements and relations more sustainable, thereby increasing the sustainability of the entire system.

Measures to improve the sustainability of goods movement, Source: Own figure (CC-BY-SA)

Now you should know more about the various measures that can help improve the sustainability of goods transport. You can test your new knowledge on the next page.

Sources

Antonio Marco (2024): Neue Trends in der internationalen Logistik: Herausforderungen und Chancen. URL: https://antoniomarco.com/news/de/neue-trends-in-der-internationalen-logistik-herausforderungen-und-chancen/ (last access 27.05.2024).

AMS (2024): Green Warehouse: The Eco-Friendly Warehousing. URL: https://www.amsc-usa.com/blog/green-warehouse-sustainable-logistics/ (last access 24.05.2024).

Fraunhofer (2021): Micro-Hubs für eine nachhaltige Citylogistik. URL: https://www.stuttgart.de/medien/ibs/micro-hubs-fuer-eine-nachhaltige-citylogistik-final.pdf (last access 24.05.2024).       

Intel (2024): Intelligente Straßen beginnen mit intelligenter Infrastruktur. URL: https://www.intel.de/content/www/de/de/transportation/smart-road-infrastructure.html (last access 24.05.2024).

Rosenberg et al. (2021): Introducing the Shared Micro-Depot Network for Last-Mile Logistics. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2067.

Umwelt Bundesamt (2024): Emissionen des Verkehrs. URL: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/daten/verkehr/emissionen-des-verkehrs#pkw-fahren-heute-klima-und-umweltvertraglicher (last access 24.05.2024).