Keywords Logistics · Transport · Decarbonization · Transport policy · City
logistics · Container transport · Global supply chain
1 Introduction
The challenge of decarbonizing the global logistics system is a formidable one. The
targets for decarbonization were framed by 195 countries in Paris during the 2015
COP21 meeting. Limits have been set on allowed global warming temperatures, and
countries have subsequently translated this into national agreements to reduce their
carbon emissions. In Europe, the intention was stated to achieve a 60% reduction of
carbon emissions by 2050, compared to the 1990 levels. Given that emissions have
only increased since then, and still are, the current reduction target is more strict and
stands at 83%. Figure 2.1 shows the development of this emission gap at global
level, through the decades.
Our focus in this chapter is on the logistics system as contributor to the overall
target. Various studies are available in the literature that explain the ways in which
carbon reduction can be achieved. The five main strategic routes for decarbonization
are as follows (we refer the interested reader to McKinnon (2018) for a detailed
discussion):
Fig. 2.1 Carbon emission gap. (UNEP 2016)
16
L. Tavasszy
logistics · Container transport · Global supply chain
1 Introduction
The challenge of decarbonizing the global logistics system is a formidable one. The
targets for decarbonization were framed by 195 countries in Paris during the 2015
COP21 meeting. Limits have been set on allowed global warming temperatures, and
countries have subsequently translated this into national agreements to reduce their
carbon emissions. In Europe, the intention was stated to achieve a 60% reduction of
carbon emissions by 2050, compared to the 1990 levels. Given that emissions have
only increased since then, and still are, the current reduction target is more strict and
stands at 83%. Figure 2.1 shows the development of this emission gap at global
level, through the decades.
Our focus in this chapter is on the logistics system as contributor to the overall
target. Various studies are available in the literature that explain the ways in which
carbon reduction can be achieved. The five main strategic routes for decarbonization
are as follows (we refer the interested reader to McKinnon (2018) for a detailed
discussion):
Fig. 2.1 Carbon emission gap. (UNEP 2016)
16
L. Tavasszy