Publication:
An Integrated, Multi-Strategy Approach for Logistics Decarbonization

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (409.21 KB)
103 downloads
English Text (41.02 KB)
9 downloads
Published
2025-06-30
ISSN
Date
2025-09-03
Editor(s)
Abstract
Global economies are highly dependent on efficient logistics to promote economic growth, yet the historical contribution of freight transport to environmental impacts poses an important challenge for the next decades. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of various strategies to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport while maintaining its role in overall development. (i) shifting traffic from higher to lower carbon-intensity modes; (ii) reducing empty loads; (iii) improving the energy efficiency of vehicles; and (iv) adopting alternative fuels. Results show that no single strategy implemented in isolation, will be able to significantly mitigate emissions from freight transport in Brazil. Therefore, an integrated, multi-strategy approach is needed for achieving sustainable emission reductions over time.
Link to Data Set
Citation
Fonseca, Tais; Moody, Joanna. 2025. An Integrated, Multi-Strategy Approach for Logistics Decarbonization. Brazil Transport Sector Note. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/43660 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.
Digital Object Identifier
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Unlocking Green Logistics for Development
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-10-24) Lawrence, Martha; Bullock, Richard; Moody, Joanna
    This report examines the opportunities to decouple growth in logistics activity from growth in GHG emissions, synthesizing existing evidence on potential GHG mitigation measures. It focuses on nonurban logistics. Urban logistics is covered in a companion report on decarbonizing urban transport. Chapters 2 to 5 cover the main types of interventions available to reduce GHG emission. Chapter 2 examines how spatial planning and land use can affect logistics GHG emission and economy-widepricing measures provide economic incentives for decarbonization. Chapter 3 discusses the potential for a modal shift to lower emissions transport modes. Chapter 4 addresses opportunities for improving energy intensity through technical efficiency and capacity utilization. Chapter 5 explores the potential of alternative fuels for freight transport and energy sources for warehousing. Chapter 6 brings together the various policy interventions and suggests how LMICs can analyze and prioritize interventions as part of their overall national logistics planning. An efficient logistics system is greener than an inefficient one, so many of the “quick win” interventions to reduce GHG emissions will also improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of a country’s logistics. The best mix of measures will be different for each country and can be integrated into each country’s development of a Green Logistics Plan.
  • Publication
    The Decarbonization of Logistics in Lower Income Countries
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-10-24) Mckinnon, Alan
    This report aims to explore the extent to which the logistics decarbonization approaches in countries in Europe and North America—and to a lesser extent, China—need to be adapted to the needs, opportunities, and constraints of LMICs and supplemented by local initiatives. It takes a macro-logistics look at the subject viewing it mainly from the standpoint of countries or national governments. The report focuses on non-urban domestic logistics operations within LMICs, as globally, non-urban domestic freight accounts for approximately 38 percent of total transport CO2 emissions (ITF 2019), most of it from trucking operations The report deals with freight transport within a broader logistical context, taking into account the relationships between the movement of goods, their storage and handling in warehouses andterminals, and the IT systems controlling these processes. Due to the close interconnections between domestic and international transport, particularly in the hinterlands of ports and airports, some reference will be made to international freight links, but not to the decarbonization of international trade flow.
  • Publication
    Toward a Green, Clean, and Resilient World for All
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-05) World Bank Group
    The new environment strategy for the World Bank Group lays out an ambitious action agenda that seeks to respond to calls from our client countries for a new kind of development path, one that supports growth while focusing more on sustainability and ensuring that the environment is a key enabler for green, more-inclusive growth. This strategy recognizes the importance of our convening power, access to policy makers, analytical work, development of new financial tools, and smart risk management as well as a portfolio of investments to accelerate solutions. Spreading these solutions by sharing knowledge, demonstrating success, and working in partnership, mobilizing action, and leveraging financing will be critical to our success.
  • Publication
    Decarbonizing Urban Transport for Development
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2023-09-20) Bianchi Alves, Bianca; Bou Mjahed, Lama; Moody, Joanna
    The path to low-carbon urban transport looks fundamentally different in developed and developing countries. Most cities in developing countries have not yet developed their land use and transportation infrastructure around cars, leaving a window of opportunity to chart a new path to low-carbon, efficient and inclusive urban transport. While developed countries may focus on retrofitting existing fleets (e.g., through electrification), developing countries can build their transport systems with a low-carbon approach at the core, allowing for more inclusive and climate-friendly growth in the future. With this approach, most of the changes that make urban transport greener also make cities more livable. Encouraging dense, compact, and mixed-use development (while limiting sprawl) and building effective public transport systems and safe pedestrian routes all reduce traffic and local pollution while increasing citizens’ ability to access jobs, health services and education. This report provides a framework that can help cities leverage these synergies and create transport systems that will support social and economic development outcomes while also reducing emissions.
  • Publication
    The Economic Case for Reducing Vulnerability of Transport Infrastructure to Natural Hazards
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-30) Fonseca, Tais; Moody, Joanna
    Brazil’s transport infrastructure and the social and economic activities it supports face increasing exposure to climate and natural hazards, with climate change intensifying risks to critical corridors such as those used for soybean exports. Proactive investments and maintenance programs aimed at climate adaptation of key transport assets can help Brazil avoid costly delays, detours, and expensive reconstruction efforts, offering high returns on investment. In addition, robust emergency response mechanisms within the transport sector are essential to minimize economic losses caused by traffic disruptions.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    Port Reform Toolkit
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-07-31) World Bank
    Ports are undergoing constant transformation, induced by changes in the global economy, technology, or the environment. Port reform is influenced by factors that include aspirations for change underpinned by complex internal and external drivers. In a sector where public and private interests must work together, closely managing change is important. Having the right tools is key for a successful port reform and improvement process which enables economic growth, creates jobs, and fosters sustainable development. For over two decades, the Port Reform Toolkit has been one of the most comprehensive guides for implementing port reforms. Along the way, the Toolkit has evolved in response to changing sectoral trends. The first edition, published in 2001, established a common language for policymakers and port industry stakeholders. It has since become the established reference for port privatization, labor, and modernization programs. Further experiences from a first wave of port reforms in Latin America, Africa, and Asia in the 1990s and early 2000s informed the second edition of the Toolkit, which was released in 2007. By that time, ports in developing economies had attracted over 21 billion dollars in investments from over 200 public-private partnership projects. In this context, the Port Reform Toolkit enabled port stakeholders to provide strategic advice to governments and the private sector.
  • Publication
    Reboot Development: The Economics of a Livable Planet
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-09-01) Damania, Richard; Ebadi, Ebad; Mayr, Kentaro; Russ, Jason; Zaveri, Esha
    “Reboot Development: The Economics of a Livable Planet” explores how the foundational natural endowments of land, air, and water—long taken for granted—are under growing threat, putting at risk the very progress they helped create. For generations, natural resources have powered development, supporting health, food, energy, and economic opportunity. Today, strains on these resources are intensifying. This report argues that failing to maintain a livable planet is not merely a distant environmental concern, but a present economic threat. Drawing on new data, the report shows that over 90 percent of the world is exposed to poor air quality, degraded land, or water stress. Loss of forests cuts rainfall, dries soils, and worsens droughts, costing billions of dollars. The nitrogen paradox emerges—fertilizers boost yields but overuse in some regions harms crops and ecosystems. Meanwhile, air and water pollution silently damage health, productivity, and cognition, sapping human potential. The report warns that these hidden costs are too large to ignore. Yet the message is not one of constraint but of possibility. Nature, when wisely stewarded, can drive growth, create jobs, and build resilience. The report shows that more efficient resource use—like better nitrogen management and forest restoration—yields benefits that far exceed the costs. It also urges a shift to cleaner sectors and producing “better things,” noting that these provide new sources of growth, creating more jobs per dollar invested. The findings are clear: Investing in nature is not only good for the planet, it is smart development.
  • Publication
    Mapping Impact In Chad
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-25) World Bank
    In the Sahel, Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) is a set of social protection policies, systems, and programs that promote human capital, productivity, and resilience of the poorest and strengthen their capacity to prepare for, cope with, and adapt to shocks. Through the delivery of regular social safety nets, productive inclusion interventions, and shock-responsive programs, ASP has demonstrated strong positive impacts on various dimensions in the Sahel. For the poorest and most vulnerable, it has resulted in improvements in household welfare and food security, productivity, and resilience. More broadly, it has shown significant positive impacts on the economy, society, and future generations.
  • Publication
    Global Economic Prospects, June 2025
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10) World Bank
    The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.
  • Publication
    Keys to Energy-Efficient Shipping
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-10-21) World Bank
    This report quantifies the extent to which energy efficiency measures can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel costs in global shipping. Drawing on a fleet-wide analysis across key vessel segments (bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers), it assesses the untapped potential of technical and operational efficiency measures through to 2050. Findings show that maximizing energy efficiency can cut global shipping’s GHG emissions by up to about 40% by 2030, exceeding current IMO interim targets, while simultaneously lowering the costs of the energy transition. Roughly half of these potential GHG savings by 2030 pay for themselves, offering savings of up to $220 billion annually in total costs as green fuel supply chains develop, and helping to build resiliency against fuel price volatility and rerouting shocks. The report highlights the role of short-term operational measures (such as forms of port call and speed optimization) and medium-term technical innovations (for example, wind-assisted propulsion) in achieving substantial efficiency gains. It identifies persistent economic, behavioral, and organizational barriers to uptake and illustrates them through deep dives on port call optimization and wind-assisted propulsion, showcasing innovative industry initiatives being applied to overcome these barriers. Finally, the report offers targeted recommendations for policymakers, industry, ports, and financiers to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions at scale.