Green Logistics – Reduce Emissions, Increase Efficiency
To achieve the agreed climate targets, a massive reduction in emissions caused by transport is needed - and within a very short time. At the same time, the logistics industry is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and the rise of e-commerce and next or same day deliveries means that vehicles are often underutilized and fuel consumption is high.
But how is the transformation to sustainable logistics to be financed? In the transport industry, there is a high need for investment, margins are low, and customers are only willing to pay a premium for sustainable delivery to a limited extent. This is where the concept of green logistics comes in.
What are the benefits of sustainable logistics?
The benefits of sustainable logistics for the environment are obvious: reduction of harmful carbon dioxide emissions and lower use of resources. But more sustainable logistics also brings benefits for companies.
More orders
Green logistics is more in demand than ever. Consumers, but also companies, are increasingly paying attention to their carbon footprint and are placing higher demands on services and goods. Offering climate-friendly or even climate-neutral delivery can be a real competitive advantage here and lead to more winning tenders.
Reduced costs
The cost of fossil fuels is difficult to calculate and - since it is a finite raw material - tends to rise. By switching to more ecological, alternative drives, a logistics company not only makes itself independent of speculation and conflicts over oil, but also achieves price stability and predictability. At the same time, these companies anticipate the introduction of a CO2 tax and can thus avoid future costs with their investments.
Did you know?
By using the route optimization software PTV Route Optimiser transport-related carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 17 %.
Do you want to know how high your savings potential is?
Does optimized route planning reduce emissions?
The calculation is quite simple: fewer kilometers driven means less fuel consumption, means less CO2. Route planning software, such as PTV Route Optimiser, offers a range of features and benefits that can reduce both mileage and fuel consumption of deliveries.
Increase efficiency
Empty runs are not only expensive, but also unecological. PTV's route planning solutions therefore calculate the most efficient routes possible with optimally utilized vehicles and, if possible, combine pick-ups and returns. Depending on the baseline situation, this not only leads to fewer kilometers driven, but also to entire vehicles being saved. The routing algorithms also calculate the shortest route to the next stop, bypass routes unsuitable for trucks and avoid detours.
The software also ensures that the right vehicle is selected for each trip, so that, for example, a full van is sent out instead of a barely loaded 40-ton truck. It is also possible to optimize the load space and thus utilize the vehicles more efficiently.
Consider eco-friendly drives
For electrically powered vehicles, separate vehicle profiles can be created in the software and taken into account in route planning. Prioritization of electric trucks or transporters is also possible.
Optimize route execution
The driving style has a major influence on fuel consumption. The calculated routes of a software solution are not only optimized, but also feasible. This takes the time pressure off drivers and encourages them to adopt a more consistent, fuel-saving driving style.
The use of additional tools, such as a truck navigation with live traffic information or an ETA service, can also bypass traffic jams and increase the number of successful first delivery attempts.
Why do I need an emissions report?
Transparency and reliable figures are the basis of any sustainability strategy. Only when you know how much CO2 is actually emitted can you make an informed decision about potential measures.
- An analysis of the current state is crucial for assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of measures taken.
- More and more countries are planning regulations on emissions reporting, making emissions reports mandatory for logistics companies.
- You can make such a report available to your customers and business partners or use it as a basis for compensation measures.
- In addition, with such a balance sheet you can already estimate what additional costs you would incur as a result of a CO2 tax.