Promoting Circular Economy Green Transformation in Logistics Operations
The circular economy optimizes resource reuse and recycling through reverse logistics, contributing to sustainable development and addressing the challenges of increasing waste.
The circular economy optimizes resource reuse and recycling through reverse logistics, contributing to sustainable development and addressing the challenges of increasing waste.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has launched a global “Green Customs” reflection, exploring revisions to the Harmonized System (HS) code to better integrate environmental considerations and promote a global green economy through a series of workshops. These workshops focus on five key areas: food, chemicals, textiles, basic materials, and green technologies. They provide valuable insights and recommendations for the 'greening' of the HS coding system, aiming to build a more sustainable future. The initiative seeks to leverage trade policies to support environmental protection and sustainable development goals.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Green Customs Action Plan (GCAP), aims to transform customs into advocates and practitioners of green trade, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GCAP is divided into short-term, medium-term, and long-term phases, covering the greening of customs operations, the promotion of green trade, and the exploration of innovative measures. Through these three pillars, customs administrations will actively contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. The plan emphasizes a holistic approach to integrating environmental considerations into customs practices.
French airline Amelia is actively embracing sustainability by joining IATA and partnering with Universal Hydrogen. These initiatives demonstrate their commitment to the green transformation of regional routes. Amelia aims to become a leader in hydrogen-powered aviation, contributing to a greener future for the aviation industry. They are actively pursuing strategies to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices within their operations, positioning themselves at the forefront of the evolving landscape of environmentally conscious air travel.
The aviation industry is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, making Environmental Management Systems (EMS) crucial. This paper explores how EMS can help organizations enhance environmental sustainability. It analyzes the challenges faced by airports and Ground Service Providers (GSPs), and shares industry best practices, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts. The focus is on leveraging EMS to drive sustainable practices and contribute to the industry's ambitious emissions reduction goals. Successful implementation requires a holistic approach and strong stakeholder engagement.
The green transition of the EU aviation sector faces challenges. While the ReFuelEU Aviation (RFEUA) regulation aims to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), monopolistic practices by fuel suppliers lead to high 'compliance fees' for SAF, significantly increasing airline costs. Logistical bottlenecks and the lack of global incentives further hinder SAF adoption, potentially obstructing emissions reduction targets. The high cost of SAF, driven by limited supply and market dynamics, poses a significant hurdle to the successful implementation of the RFEUA and the achievement of a sustainable aviation sector.
The WCO seminar explored the use of HS codes to identify green equipment, addressing technical challenges and sharing experiences from the EU and APEC. Discussions focused on facilitating environmental upgrades and promoting sustainable trade through improved classification and understanding of green technologies within the HS framework. The seminar highlighted the importance of accurate HS coding for promoting green trade and supporting environmental protection efforts globally. This contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible international trading system.
The WCO report highlights the crucial role of HS codes in promoting environmentally friendly trade, as discussed in the "Visualizing Green HS" workshop. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration to translate discussions into action, optimizing the HS coding system to identify and facilitate trade in environmentally sound goods. This aims to drive global sustainable development and provide a clear roadmap for the greening of HS codes. It underscores the importance of a harmonized system that accurately reflects and supports green trade initiatives worldwide.
The China-Europe Railway Express has rapidly developed over the past decade, becoming a vital logistics corridor connecting Asia and Europe. It not only addresses today's geopolitical crises, providing stable support for international trade, but also fuels economic development in the countries along the route. As an essential component of the Belt and Road Initiative, the railway promotes regional connectivity and fosters cooperation and prosperity among nations.
The global logistics industry is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles, with electric truck sales increasing by 35% in 2023. Although short-haul and long-haul transport face different challenges, the expansion of charging infrastructure remains crucial. Professor David Seben emphasizes that the decreasing cost of electric trucks makes them an ideal choice for the future of transportation.