Abstract
The objective of green logistics has thus far failed. For example, the share of greenhouse gas emissions by the transportation and logistics sector in Europe rose from 16.6% in 1990 to 24.3% in 2012. This article analyzes the reasons behind this failure by drawing on political, economic and business as well as social motivations and examples. At the core of this analysis are the established theorems of the Jevons paradox and the median voter (Black, Downs) in combination with time-distorted preferences of voters and consumers. Adding to the hurdles of green logistics are the problems of short-term political programs and decisions versus long-term business investments in transportation and logistics. Two cases from Germany are outlined regarding this political “meddling through” with a recent 2015 truck toll decision and the support for electric trucks and vehicles. Finally, the article proposes two ways forward: public control and restriction of carbon raw materials (coal, oil), as well as public investment in low-emission transport infrastructure or biofuels as the more feasible and likely alternative.
Highlights
The claim for an increased level of sustainability in all areas of society has remained unchallenged since its introduction into scientific literature by the German Carl von Clausewitz in 1713 regarding a sustainable management of forest areas (“Nachhaltigkeit” [1])
The objective of green logistics in terms of reduced energy consumption as well as emissions has not been successful within the European Union (EU-28); the share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the transportation and logistics sector has risen from 16.6% in 1990 to 24.3% in 2012 [17]
This article has analyzed the reasons for the current failure of green logistics by drawing on political, economic and business as well as social motivations and examples
Summary
The claim for an increased level of sustainability in all areas of society has remained unchallenged since its introduction into scientific literature by the German Carl von Clausewitz in 1713 regarding a sustainable management of forest areas (“Nachhaltigkeit” [1]). For the sake of argument, the main analysis in this article is directed towards the ecological question of reduced energy demand as well as emission output by all transportation, warehousing and other logistics activities It must be noted that especially the social dimension of logistics activities should be the focus for sustainability research, given the fact that labor conditions as well as worker migration and increased customer awareness in Europe and elsewhere place new social burdens and responsibilities on the logistics industry. The last section provides a short conclusion and outlook
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