CNA Releases Logistics Index on Sustainability for Bavaria

Transport and logistics account for around 20% of all CO2 emissions in Germany, according to the Federal Environment Agency. Consequently, the topic of “sustainability” is being discussed intensively in politics, society, and business. Particularly in the shipping industry, there is a growing desire for greener logistics that can positively influence SDG reporting.

(Nuremberg) But what significance does the topic of “sustainability” really have in the everyday business of the Bavarian transport and logistics sector? To what extent are customers willing to accept additional costs for more sustainable logistics? These questions are answered by the Sustainability Index for Transport and Logistics of the Logistics Initiative Bavaria.

The Sustainability Index is determined as part of the Logistics Barometer Bavaria. The expert survey of the Bavarian transport and logistics sector has already asked for expert assessments regarding the importance of and willingness to pay for the topic over the past eight months. “The Sustainability Index of recent months clearly shows that, in light of economic challenges such as the increase in CO2 prices at the beginning of the year, the importance of the topic of sustainability in transport and logistics is also declining,” notes Dr. Rudolf Aunkofer | Managing Director of CNA e.V. “Unfortunately, it can be observed what is already known from other contexts: a high cost burden brings economic viability or competitiveness to the forefront for companies and customers, unfortunately at the expense of sustainability. Higher cost burdens, such as the truck toll, can thus lead to counterproductive effects in practice for the first time. The vision of green logistics must remain affordable.”

The Importance of the Topic Will Continue to Rise

In light of positive forecasts for economic development this year, as well as increasing regulatory pressure from politics, it is expected that the importance of the topic will continue to rise in the coming months. The Index | Sustainability | Transport+Logistics | BY will make this visible on a monthly basis, thereby providing an important indicator of the role that “sustainability” can play in practice.

Photo/Graphic: © CNA