Decarbonizing India’s Logistics Sector: Strategies and Challenges
Why in News?
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The Indian government is intensifying efforts to decarbonize the logistics sector, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Recent discussions have focused on implementing sustainable practices and technologies to align with India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.
Important Key Points:
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High Carbon Footprint of Logistics
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India’s logistics sector contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions, especially through road transport which accounts for over 60% of freight movement.
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Overdependence on Road Transport
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The dominance of road-based freight is inefficient and carbon-intensive compared to railways and waterways.
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Government Initiatives
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Programs like the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and National Logistics Policy aim to improve multimodal logistics and reduce emissions.
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Promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels like LNG and hydrogen.
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Logistics Performance and Costs
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India’s logistics cost is around 13-14% of GDP, much higher than the global average of 8%, affecting economic competitiveness.
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Efficient logistics can reduce costs and improve sustainability.
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Decarbonization Strategies
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Shift freight to rail and inland waterways.
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Promote green logistics infrastructure such as energy-efficient warehouses.
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Encourage modal shift, fleet modernization, and digital solutions for efficiency.
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Challenges
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High initial investment, lack of integrated planning, policy fragmentation, and limited private sector participation.
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Need for behavioral change and capacity building in logistics stakeholders.
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Way Forward
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Strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs).
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Ensure policy coherence, use of data analytics, and promote low-emission zones in urban logistics.
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