What is the main motivation for the implementation of environmentally friendly concepts by logistics companies? Are there really noble goals behind this movement or is it more based on the improvement of their public image?
The goal of this Bachelor thesis is to identify clearly if the measures of the logistics and transport sectors are just to improve their image or if they want to make a significant and real contribution to environmental protection. Furthermore, it will analyse if the implementation of these ecological strategies comes along with economic advantages.
To be able to answer these questions, different exemplary “Green Logistics” concepts will be considered critically with a focus on the implementation of alleged environmentally friendly measures in the transport and logistics sector.
In recent years, climate change and global warming were again and again big topics in politics, the economy and society. International debate about greenhouse gases as well as noise and fine dust pollution attracted considerable attention from the public. According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is becoming obvious that the causes of climate change are the greenhouse gases. This has led to an increased awareness for environmental protection by the general public in relation to the importance for the current and the next generations.
Due to various actions and events, for instance, the nuclear accident in Fukushima and flood disasters in central Europe, the topic of environmental protection has developed as an important element of human action. The essential reason for global warming is the way in which humans live their lives.
In particular, in the western countries the way of life has changed drastically with the introduction of industrialization. Therefore, large quantities of coal, oil and gas are burned resulting in a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). That is why the industrialised countries have to carry such a big responsibility when it comes to protecting the environment.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
1.2. DIFFERENTIATION
1.3. OBJECTIVE
1.4. STRUCTURE
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
2.1. AN INTRODUCTION TO LOGISTICS
2.2. DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY
2.3. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPORTANCE OF THE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR
2.4. DEVELOPMENT OF SALES
2.5. THE DEVELOPMENT OF E-COMMERCE
2.6. THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT OF GOODS
2.7. THE IMPACT OF LOGISTICS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
3. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GREEN LOGISTICS
3.1. DEFINITION AND DEMARCATION
3.2. THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPORTANCE
4. GREEN LOGISTICS CONCEPTS - ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GREEN
4.1. STATUS QUO
4.2. BALANCING AND STANDARDS
4.3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE BALANCES
4.4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR A GREENER SUPPLY CHAIN
4.5. ENERGY-EFFICIENT VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
4.6. CRITICAL VIEW AND INTERPRETATION
4.7. DEUTSCHE POST DHL
5. CONCLUSION
6. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK
Objectives and Core Topics
This bachelor thesis examines whether "Green Logistics" measures in the transport and logistics sector represent a genuine commitment to environmental protection or serve primarily as a strategic tool to improve corporate image and optimize costs. The central research question explores the motivation behind the implementation of environmentally friendly concepts by logistics companies and whether these initiatives contribute significantly to reducing CO2 emissions.
- Analysis of the evolution and current status of the logistics and transport sector.
- Evaluation of "Green Logistics" concepts and their practical application.
- Critical examination of the relationship between economic goals (profit maximization) and ecological sustainability.
- Case study of Deutsche Post DHL to verify the authenticity of their environmental initiatives.
- Discussion on the necessity of legislative frameworks to drive meaningful ecological progress in logistics.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Purpose of the study
In the 1970’s the growth of awareness in the public that the logistics sector through the transport, logistics properties and the intralogistics has a major bearing on the environment was rapidly increased. Various studies for instance from the German commercial and industrial chamber Stuttgart confirmed that the growing development of air pollutants are triggered by the logistic service companies. This especially refers to the transport sector with a view to the worldwide rise in energy consumption and the CO2 emissions this entails.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2013 it was calculated that worldwide there were 32,1 billion tons of carbon dioxide (see chart 1). In the electricity and heat generation sector, 42 percent is to be found, 25 percent in the transportation sector, 19 percent industry and six percent of residential buildings. The figure below shows the share of worldwide CO2 emissions in the different sectors.
The figure above clearly shows that after the electricity and heat generation sector, the transport sector is producing the second highest worldwide CO2 emissions. That means that the transportation of goods produces approximately seven billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. Furthermore 75 percent of the energy consumption is related to transport. Only 25 percent of energy consumption is caused by intralogistics and logistics properties. Thus most of the energy consumption and thereby the most produced greenhouse gases can be attributed to the transport sector. This sector has a significant potential to improve the environment on a sustained basis. In order to fulfil this requirement there is a need for additional measures to further reduce the emissions.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides the context for climate change and the growing necessity for environmental protection in the global transport sector.
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS: Defines fundamental concepts including logistics, sustainability, and analyzes the sector's growth and environmental impact.
3. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GREEN LOGISTICS: Explores the conceptual foundations and the rising significance of Green Logistics as a permanent industry feature.
4. GREEN LOGISTICS CONCEPTS - ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GREEN: Critically evaluates existing concepts, standards, and practical examples like Deutsche Post DHL, questioning their true effectiveness.
5. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that many measures are cost-driven rather than purely ecological, highlighting the need for stricter legislation.
6. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Recaps the growth and impact of the sector and emphasizes that future environmental success requires a fundamental rethink by companies and consumers.
Keywords
Green Logistics, CO2 Emissions, Sustainability, Transport Sector, Climate Change, Carbon Footprint, Deutsche Post DHL, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Protection, Energy Efficiency, Logistics Industry, Greenhouse Gases, Sustainable Development, Eco-Logistics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this bachelor thesis?
The thesis focuses on a critical view of environmentally friendly measures in the transport and logistics sector to determine if they are genuine contributions to environmental protection or primarily image-building exercises.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The work covers logistics definitions, sustainability models, the environmental impact of transport, corporate green strategies, and an in-depth review of specific green concepts like carbon balancing.
What is the core research question?
The study investigates whether logistics companies implement green concepts for noble environmental reasons or primarily to improve their public image and achieve economic advantages.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research is based on a critical analysis of industry data, existing studies on environmental measures, and a case study approach evaluating the initiatives of Deutsche Post DHL.
What does the main part of the work address?
It examines the status quo of green logistics, the role of standards and balancing (e.g., carbon footprint), and technical measures like energy-efficient vehicle technology.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Green Logistics, CO2 emissions, sustainability, supply chain management, and environmental protection.
How does Deutsche Post DHL illustrate the author's findings?
Deutsche Post DHL is used as a case study to show that while large logistics providers market themselves as "Green Companies," many of their measures are effectively cost-saving and efficiency initiatives rather than altruistic environmental projects.
What is the author's conclusion regarding Green Logistics?
The author concludes that many alleged green measures are more "apparent than real" and that the industry requires stronger legislative frameworks to achieve meaningful progress in climate protection.
Why is the "two-degree" goal relevant to the study?
The global target of keeping temperature rise below two degrees Celsius is cited to emphasize the urgent need for the transport sector to find innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond current marginal improvements.
What role do consumers play in the author's outlook?
The author argues that consumers hold significant market power and that their willingness to pay for truly sustainable shipping—coupled with better product information—is a necessary component for the transition to greener logistics.
- Citar trabajo
- Aryan Tayefeh Noruzi (Autor), 2016, Green Logistics. A critical view of the environmentally-friendly measures in the transport and logistics sector, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343639
