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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 21331

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Prof. Dr. Vitor Caldeirinha

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Marketing e Logística, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 2900 Setúbal, Portugal
Interests: port and shipping governance; green shipping and governance; innovation; green logistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. J. Augusto Felício

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Guest Editor

School of Economics and Management (ISEG), Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: ports; transport; logistics; sustainable economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

Green logistics is a fundamental basis for the development of a sustainable economy. Green logistics is very important for the complete cycle of the sustainable circular economy and a main tool for integrated management of the supply chain and for the development of sustainable production and consumption, one of the pillars of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The economy as a whole cannot function without the transport of goods along the supply chains, nor without proper intermodal operations, use of various modes of transport with different characteristics, logistic platforms, and logistical operations to optimize efficiency and effectiveness in the chain.

On the other hand, a sustainable economy needs the development of recycling systems, goods reuse, waste reduction, rethinking of green issues, decision between local and global, use of sustainable transport materials, use of green practices, and elimination and reuse of plastics and packaging, among many other issues.

Green logistics is a key concept for sustainable development, meeting the needs of future generations and the control of global warming, as well as being a competition factor that is increasingly appreciated by responsible companies and consumers.

New practices and technologies, information systems, partnerships, materials, process changes, cooperation, and applications for optimizing the use of means of transport, among others, linked to green logistics have increasingly influenced the sustainable economy, being a fundamental pillar for its development.

The reduction in cargo dimensions, the increase in efficiency and the reduction in the empty space of transport means and increment of cargo shipments, the replacement of JIT by Just in Case, and the preference for green instead of quick or immediate all have consequences for the economy and consumption patterns.

We accept articles covering, but not limited to, the following research topics on green logistics and sustainable economics:

Advanced green logistics strategies
Management of sustainable logistics and green logistics
Green logistics operations
Applications of green logistics
Green logistics and sustainable economic development
Green logistics and reverse logistics
Green logistics and intermodality
Cooperation systems in green logistics
Economic supply chain and green logistics

Prof. Dr. Vitor Caldeirinha
Prof. Dr. J. Augusto Felício
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 514 KiB

Open AccessArticle

E-Commerce: Does Sustainable Logistics Development Matter?

by Zhuoqi Teng, Yugang He and Renhong Wu

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010579 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2468

Abstract

With the rise of the information industry in recent years, logistics and e-commerce have grown significantly. Logistics are regarded as an essential assurance for the execution of e-commerce transactions. Therefore, this article examines the effect of sustainable logistics development on China’s e-commerce by assessing province data from 2005 to 2020. Using the province and year fixed-effects model for empirical research, the following three empirical conclusions are reached: (1) the development of logistics has a favorable effect on e-commerce; (2) the dynamic link between logistics development and e-commerce is moderated by the speed of logistics development in a U-shaped manner; (3) the aforementioned two conclusions are dissimilar in the eastern, central, and western regions. On the basis of these three findings, several matching recommendations are made. This can serve as a point of reference for the sustainable growth of logistics and e-commerce in the near future. This paper can also contribute to the current literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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26 pages, 11042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ESG as a Booster for Logistics Stock Returns—Evidence from the US Stock Market

by Maria Rodionova, Angi Skhvediani and Tatiana Kudryavtseva

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912356 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2537

Abstract

This article investigates the connection between US logistics companies’ commitment to environmental, social and fair governance (ESG) strategy and their performance on the US stock market during the 2007–2022 period. The research considers historical data analysis, CAPM and a comparison of optimised portfolios. According to the results of the analyses, ‘green’ logistics stocks are less volatile, and hence less risky, and more profitable compared to ‘non-green’ logistics stocks. The Great Recession (2007–2009) and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) had the greatest impact on stock volatility, in terms of the US stock market. Optimised during the time of the Ukrainian crisis, green logistics portfolios were shown to have higher returns, but also risks and Sharpe ratios, than ‘non-green’ ones. The results confirm there to be a connection between companies’ commitment to ESG strategy and enhanced stock performance, which contributes to the importance of the ESG agenda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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19 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Considerations Regarding Freight Transport among Buyers of Transport Services in Sweden

by Sofia Dahlgren and Jonas Ammenberg

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11244; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811244 - 08 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1506

Abstract

Freight transport has substantial negative environmental and health impacts, and buyers of transport services can make these impacts ‘greener’. This article aims at improving our understanding of transport buyers’ environmental considerations. The study was based on interviews with 11 buyers of transport services in Sweden, dealing with the motives behind their sustainability work and specific environmental requirements for freight transport, including requirements for renewable fuels. In line with previous studies, we found service reliability to be a top priority. Branding appears to be a central driver motivating companies’ environmental strategies, along with pressure from both internal and external stakeholders. The relationship between transport buyers and transport providers (carriers or freight forwarders) was found to be a potential barrier to environmental developments. Several interviewees stressed difficulties in influencing certain transport providers, and some of the buyers turned to smaller carriers to achieve more notable improvements. All participants had goals of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, but without more specific frames, this has led to the use of biodiesel. Specific requirements are needed if another energy carrier should be used, such as biomethane or electricity. Long-term contracts may be a way for transport buyers to enable the transport providers to make the necessary investments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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31 pages, 2681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Sustainability of Logistics Efficiency in China along the Belt and Road Initiative Considering Carbon Emissions

by Chong Ye, Nuo Chen, Shuangyu Weng and Zeyu Xu

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9506; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159506 - 03 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1756

Abstract

The Belt and Road Initiative puts higher requirements for the logistics industry. As one of the most energy-consuming industries, logistics is a high-carbon emission industry. Its impact on the environment cannot be ignored. In this context, how to respond to the “Belt and Road” under the concept of sustainable development, to promote the logistics industry to achieve “low consumption, low emissions, high efficiency” of regional sustainability, has become the most important development of China’s logistics industry. Therefore, based on previous research, this paper establishes an input–output index system and uses the SBM-DEA model and Malmquist index model to analyze the efficiency of low-carbon logistics in 17 provinces from 2006 to 2020, explore the overall level of the logistics and the factors affecting efficiency, and compare the efficiency in different periods and regions. Then, through the Tobit regression model, the four main factors affecting the efficiency of the logistics industry are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The highest value of low-carbon logistics efficiency of each province is 1.0000, and the lowest value is only 0.0944. The difference in logistics efficiency values among provinces is large, so there is great room for improvement and development potential. (2) From 2006 to 2020, the low-carbon logistics efficiency of the regions showed an overall upward trend, and the MI index values of each province reached or approached the DEA effective state. Among them, technological progress has a promoting effect, while scale and pure technical efficiency have hindered the efficiency growth. (3) Economic growth and industry structure have a positive effect, while energy consumption and government expenditure are negatively correlated with efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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Review

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26 pages, 2255 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of the Circular Economy in Road Transport to Mitigate Climate Change and Reduce Resource Depletion

by Victor Hugo Souza De Abreu, Mariane Gonzalez Da Costa, Valeria Xavier Da Costa, Tassia Faria De Assis, Andrea Souza Santos and Marcio de Almeida D’Agosto

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8951; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148951 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5550

Abstract

The transport sector is responsible for several environmental impacts, including contributions to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and depleting natural resources. A strategy to reduce these issues goes towards the application of a circular economy, a concept that offers a response to increasing concerns about resource scarcity and the associated impacts from their use. Thus, this paper aims to fill a gap in the literature that consists of the scarcity of studies that consider the circular economy application on a micro, meso, and macro level in road transport, including all stages as well as the 7 Rs of the reverse cycle. Therefore, an approach is presented to meet road transport needs, highlighting best practices obtained through a literature review, to promote climate change mitigation and resource depletion. Qualitative data were presented for each circular economy stage with 46 best practices identified, providing invaluable guidance to transport decision-makers. Thus, public policies focusing on all of the CE stages should be taken into consideration, not only those responsible for closing the cycle, such as waste and recycling or disposal and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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27 pages, 2698 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current and Future Trends of Information Technology and Sustainability in Logistics Outsourcing

by Joash Mageto

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137641 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6136

Abstract

Sustainability awareness across various economic sectors requires firms to use logistics outsourcing to reduce logistics-related emissions with compliant logistics service providers (LSPs). LSPs apply advanced information technologies to help achieve high efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability goals. While logistics outsourcing has received considerable attention from researchers, limited research has identified the elements of logistics outsourcing and established research trends regarding technology and sustainability aspects of logistics outsourcing. This study aims to establish trends in technology and sustainability in logistics outsourcing and identify the important elements of logistics outsourcing. A bibliometric analysis technique using the Biblioshiny package in R. A SCOPUS search resulted in 2019 documents. Research on technology and sustainability in logistics outsourcing is growing, especially in developed countries, with little or no research from developing countries. Sustainable supply chains and third-party logistics themes dominated the past research. Current research is on reverse logistics, circular economy, and green logistics; the latter is likely to dominate the future, focusing on risk management, pollution control, and innovation through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data. Essential elements of logistics outsourcing are identified as maintaining a good relationship based on trust and cooperation, LSP multi-selection criteria that include sustainability and technology capabilities, proper contract management, and an appropriate in-house versus outsourcing balance for competitiveness. LSP managers are advised to develop sustainability and technology capabilities, including reverse logistics. The paper contributes to logistics management theory by identifying the elements of logistics outsourcing and presenting a bibliometric result to guide future research on sustainability and technology capabilities in logistics outsourcing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Logistics and Sustainable Economy)

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