The transportation industry is responsible for a quarter of Green House Gas emissions and 95% of its energy usage comes from fossil fuels. Freight transport and supply chain operations have a significant impact on climate change and air pollution. With last-mile deliveries on the rise, e-commerce deliveries in the European Union saw a 25% increase in 2020 due to the pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue. It’s important to note that the transport sector provides over 10,000,000 jobs (4.5% of the total workforce) and represents 4.6% of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP). To ensure sustainable socio-economic development while respecting planetary boundaries, it’s crucial for the courier and transportation sector to transition to greener operations.
The “Couriers Go Green” initiative aims to develop a plan, including a training and certification scheme, that will empower the targeted organizations and their staff to improve their environmental impact sustainably by equipping them with the necessary skills and motivation.
The European Union is making significant efforts to promote the transport sector’s green transition and implement sustainable logistics and supply chain management practices, including urban deliveries and last-mile transportation.