3 UPDATE a Green Strategy

3.1 Phase 1: Revision of the assessment of green status of the company

The revision of the assessment of the green status of a company is an important process to ensure that the company meets its goals and makes progress toward a more sustainable future. The upcoming phase will follow the same approach as Phase 1 of the methodology to develop new green strategies, as outlined in section 4.1 of this document. The structure and resources that were used in Phase 1 will also be available for this phase. To prevent repetition, this chapter will not include the same information as before.

3.2 Phase 2: Revision of the Green Strategy

3.2.1 Introduction to Phase 2

This phase should involve a wide range of actors participating in the strategy development working group, to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the existing green strategy and implementation plan. This diverse participation will bring different perspectives and expertise, enriching the review process and allowing for the effective identification of opportunities for improvement.

3.2.2 Steps in Phase 2

Step 1: Define the strategy and /or implementation update plan

Objective: For the successful revision of the green strategy, it is recommended to engage the individuals who contributed during its development to define the plan to update the strategy. Thus, the strategy update working group should be set to provide their expertise. The plan for updating the strategy involves practical considerations such as assigning a group responsible for drafting the strategy document. Typically, this group comprises sustainability and technical experts from the relevant sectors. Finally, it is also crucial to establish monitoring mechanisms to track the implementation of the strategy.

Actions: Table 9 can serve as a guideline of actions to define the strategy and /or implementation update plan, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table: Actions to define the strategy and /or implementation update plan, Phase 2, Step 1

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Define the strategy and/or implementation update plan	Strategy update working group	• At the company level set a group of technical experts to draft the document.

Recommended resources
It will be helpful for the responsible to consult: - Results of the implementation of the previous green strategy (Monitoring phase, Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 3, step 1) - Assessment of green status (Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 1, Step 2) - Inspiration from the catalogue of green solutions and best practice examples including business models for identifying other relevant stakeholders to engage in the strategy preparation (Annex A).

Step 2: Analyse opportunities for improvement in the strategy and the implementation plan

Objective: Using the assessment of the company’s green status, the responsible can initiate an analysis of the current green challenges in the courier and transport priority areas. These challenges may have already been identified during the implementation of the green strategy, so it is advisable to conduct interviews with selected experts and representatives to help identify the main issues to be considered when updating the strategy. In addition, the responsible will identify areas where the existing strategy and implementation plan can be strengthened and optimized, enhance the accountability and monitoring mechanisms to track the progress and ensure continuous improvement. It is crucial to align with the evolving sustainability objectives and the latest industry best practices and improve the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the initiatives being implemented.
Actions: Table 10 can serve as a guideline of actions to analyse opportunities for improvement in the strategy and the implementation plan, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table: Actions to analyse opportunities for improvement in the strategy and the implementation plan, Phase 2, Step 2

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Evaluate the current green strategy and implementation plan	Strategy update working group	• Review the existing green strategy and implementation plan in detail, considering its objective, initiatives, targets, and timelines. • Assess the clarity, coherence, and relevance of the defined goals and actions considering current environmental challenges and trends.
Gather feedback and insights	Strategy update working group	• Engage with relevant stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and industry experts, to gather feedback on the existing green strategy. • Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand their perspectives, suggestions, and concerns regarding the implemented initiatives. • Get help from external sustainability consultants or experts who specialize in strategy review and optimization. • Benefit from their experience and best practices for evaluating and improving the existing strategy. • Incorporate the feedback received to identify areas for improvement and align the strategy with stakeholder expectations.
Collaborate with operational teams	Strategy update working group	• Get their views on challenges, successes, and potential improvements in terms of strategy implementation. • Draw on their operational knowledge and experience to identify practical opportunities for improvement.
Benchmark Against Best Practices	Strategy update working group	Benchmark your existing green strategy against industry best practices, guidelines, and standards.
Recommended resources It will be helpful for the responsible to consult: - Current green strategy vision - Assessment of green status (Methodology to set up NEW Green Strategy, Phase 1, Step 2) - Identified challenges and opportunities, SWOT analysis (Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 1, Step 3) - Results of the implementation of the previous green strategy (Monitoring phase, Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 3, step 1) - Catalogue of green solutions and best practice examples might inspire initiatives and business models to deploy at the company’s level (Annex A).

Step 3: Update priority areas, corresponding main and specific goals

Objective: During this step, the responsible will ensure that all necessary updates, modifications, or additions to the strategy’s priority areas are considered. Whenever a new priority area is considered necessary the responsible should verify that it aligns with the company’s vision and does not overlap with any other priority area.The involvement of relevant experts and stakeholders and the feedback they provide will play a crucial role in determining whether new priority areas are needed or if changes should be made to the original strategic framework. Just like in the strategy development phase, any new or updated priority areas must have a clear main goal and specific goals, which will be reflected in the updated implementation plan.

Actions: Table 11 can serve as a guideline of actions to update priority areas, corresponding main and specific goals, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table 11: Actions to update priority areas, corresponding main and specific goals, Phase 2, Step 3

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Update, if necessary, the priority areas, main and specific goals	Strategy update working group	The consultation process with engaged experts and teams
Recommended resources It will be helpful for the user to consult: - Current green strategy vision - Results from the revision of the green status assessment analysis (Methodology to UPDATE a Green Strategy, Phase 1) - Analysis of sustainability challenges from interviews with experts (Methodology to UPDATE a Green Strategy, Phase 1, Step 2) - Results of green strategy implementation (Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, monitoring of KPIs) - The Catalogue of green solutions and the best practice examples might inspire key enabling aspects and/or good practices to deploy (Annex A) - Policies to support green business models: Related materials might aid in identifying areas of priority, based on supporting policies identified and good examples (Annex A) - Training in green & sustainable sectors: might inspire skills and knowledge to be reinforced in the key sectors

3.3 Phase 3: Update of the Implementation plan

3.3.1 Introduction to Phase 3

In this phase, the implementation plan is suggested to be designed to set the action map to achieve the updated goals set in Phase 2. The plan should present in detail how all goals will be reached, the human and financial resources that will be allocated, as well as the monitoring mechanism of the updated strategy.

Who to involve in this phase?

It is recommended to involve the same actors as in Phase 2.

3.3.2 Steps in Phase 3

Step 1: Revision and update of the implementation plan for the green strategy

Objective: During this step, new actions can be incorporated into the implementation plan within both current and newly identified priority areas. This process aligns with the feasibility of the updated strategy, drawing upon the analysis of the strategy implementation, the underlying challenges within the transportation and logistics sectors, as well as the final decisions made by the strategy update working group.
Action:Table 12 can serve as a guideline of actions to revise and update the implementation plan for the green strategy, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table 12: Actions to revise and update the implementation plan for the green strategy, Phase 3, Step 1

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Based on Step 2, update (if necessary) specific activities in the implementation plan to correspond to the updated priority areas and specific goals.	Strategy update working group	Working groups and feedback rounds with the decision-level groups.
Recommended resources It will be helpful for the responsible to consult: - Current company’s green strategy vision - Update priority areas and goals (Methodology to UPDATE a Green Strategy, Phase 2, Step 2) - Catalogue of green solutions (Annex A) - Best practice examples (Annex A) - Training material in the courier & transportation sector - Relevant tools (Annex A)

Step 2: Assign new financial mechanisms and resources to the updated strategy & implementation plan

Objective: Similarly, to Step 2 (Section 4.3.2), specific financial and policy mechanisms should be assigned to the revised
Action:Table 13 can serve as a guideline of actions to assign new financial mechanisms and resources to the updated strategy & implementation plan, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table 13: Actions to assign new financial mechanisms and resources to the updated strategy & implementation plan, Phase 3, Step 2

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Revise current resources used in the existing green strategy and implementation plan and conduct a gap analysis to identify those that could support the updated priority areas, goals, and actions	Strategy update working group Financial expert Business development expert	• Evaluate the application and effectiveness of the already implemented mechanisms (monitoring of KPIs)
Recommended resources It will be helpful for the responsible to consult: - Updated priority areas and goals (Methodology to UPDATE a Green Strategy, Phase 2, Step 2) - Repository of policies to support green business models (Annex A) - Repository of financial instruments (Annex A)

Step 3: Updated green strategy and implementation plan

Objective: The final updated strategy and implementation plan documents should incorporate the results of the previous steps, taking into account available resources and dependencies, and setting realistic timelines. Monitoring and evaluation of key performance indicators (KPIs) help to track progress and identify areas for improvement, while risk assessment and mitigation strategies facilitate the address of potential obstacles. Finally, considering scalability and sustainability aspects throughout the strategy and implementation plan development will ensure the long-term impact of the green initiatives and the growth of the company. The strategy update working group will run this process, conducting a final consultation round with relevant individuals within group members, and finally approve the strategy document and implementation plan.

– Action: Table 14 can serve as a guideline of actions to assign new financial mechanisms and resources to the updated strategy & implementation plan, tasks that should be implemented, as well as the responsible people/teams and possible methods to complete those tasks.

Table 14: Actions to update the green strategy and implementation plan, Phase 3, Step 3

Task	Responsible	Possible methods
Finalizing the green strategy and the implementation plan	Strategy development working group	• Final consultation with working group members and relevant stakeholders • Analysis of consultation feedback with the decision-level team and advisory group. Include approved changes to the final documents.
Recommended resources It will be helpful for the responsible to consult: - Determined priority areas and their main goals (Methodology to UPDATE a Green Strategy, Phase 2, Step 2) - Derived specific goals, specific actions and responsible for implementation (Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 3, Step 1) - Assign specific financial mechanisms and resources to the defined specific actions (Methodology to set up a NEW Green Strategy, Phase 3, Step 3) - Feedback from the consultation process to the final drafts of the strategy and implementation plan - Template E (Annex A)

Step 4: Define how to execute and monitor the implementation plan

This step will follow the same approach as in Step 4 of Phase 3 of the methodology to develop new green strategies, as outlined in section 4.3.2 of this document. The structure and resources that were used in that step will also be available for this phase. To prevent repetition, this step will not include the same information as before.

4. Connection between the Framework and the TOOLBOX

As already mentioned, the present framework has been incorporated in a TOOLBOX. The TOOLBOX is available in the following LINK. The TOOLBOX is a multi-component platform that guides the responsible to all Phases and Steps in order to set up a new strategy, or update a current one, based on the Framework developed. It also integrates different information and resources, thus working as an elaborated repository of documents and tools. The full list of resources included in the TOOLBOX is provided in Annex A. The list identifies the resource type and format and the part of the methodology where it is made available.

5. Conclusions

Addressing the dynamic landscape of couriers and logistics, the need to develop a robust framework becomes evident, given the current sustainability challenges inherent in these sectors. From the ecological impact of transportation to the efficient management of supply chains, a comprehensive framework is essential for navigating and mitigating the complexities that inhibit the industry’s sustainable evolution.

In the context of the Couriers Go Green project, a framework has been developed, in order to help couriers and logistics companies to make a green shift. Depending on the company’s maturity level, the framework follows two different approaches, either to set up a new strategy or revise an existing one. In both cases, companies are invited to start with Phase 1 to assess their green status related to the status quo, the challenges, and the opportunities they face. Based on the preliminary assessment, companies are ready to start developing or updating the Green Strategy (Phase 2) and then its implementation plan assigning the necessary human and financial resources (Phase 3).

In order to validate the green framework, as integrated in the TOOLBOX a Pilot test was performed in order to Methodology to Develop a NEW Strategy and Methodology to UPDATE an Existing Strategy showcased favourable results in terms of usability and utility. In the Usability category, the clarity and conciseness of language and presentation received high ratings from pilot testers. The NEW strategy earned an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars (88%), signifying strong approval for its comprehensibility and organization. Similarly, the UPDATE strategy achieved positive feedback, with all testers rating the language and presentation as 4 or 5 stars, resulting in an average rating of 4.3 stars (86%). Additionally, both strategies demonstrated high user-friendliness and accessibility, with satisfaction levels of 84%. The NEW strategy, although generally well-received, displayed some variability in ratings, indicating potential areas for improvement. However, the UPDATE strategy garnered consistent positive feedback, with 90% of testers acknowledging its adaptability to changing conditions.

Moving on to the Utility aspect, both strategies aligned effectively with organizational objectives. The NEW strategy received an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars (92%), indicating a strong agreement with the strategy’s alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, values, and goals. The UPDATE strategy demonstrated a high level of alignment as well, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars (88%). Furthermore, the feasibility and realism of objectives, strategies, and actions proposed in both strategies were generally well-received, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars (80%) for the NEW strategy and 4.2 out of 5 stars for the UPDATE strategy. The communication of benefits and challenges, efficient resource utilization, and incorporation of feedback and lessons learned were also positively assessed for both strategies, reflecting their effectiveness and comprehensive approach to planning.

In conclusion, the presented methodology provides a dynamic and iterative framework, promoting sustainability, and resilience in the courier and transportation sector. The integration of continuous assessment, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic planning positions companies to not only meet current environmental expectations but also to proactively address future challenges in a rapidly changing world.

References

Karjalainen, Linda E., and Sirkku Juhola. 2019. “Framework for Assessing Public Transportation Sustainability in Planning and Policy-Making” Sustainability 11, no. 4: 1028.
Jin Li, Qihui Lu, and Peihua Fu, 2015, Carbon Footprint Management of Road Freight Transport under the Carbon Emission Trading Mechanism Jin, Mathematical Problems in Engineering Volume 2015, Article ID 814527,
Michael Bernon, Benny Tjahjono & Eva Faja Ripanti (2018) Aligning retail reverse logistics practice with circular economy values: an exploratory framework, Production Planning & Control, 29:6, 483-497, DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2018.1449266
Corkery, Michael; Creswell, Julie (2 November 2021). “Corporate Climate Pledges Often Ignore a Key Component: Supply Chains”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 December 2021.

UPDATE a Green Strategy