A new report published by the United Nations High Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport is challenging logistics operators and other transport organisations to look for new ways to balance short-term financial considerations against broader benefits for society and long-term economic gains.
It also calls for the development of multimodal transport solutions that meet the needs of customers, while at the same time cutting emissions and for closer collaboration and capacity sharing initiatives between transport firms.
The first ever Global Sustainable Transport Outlook Report, Mobilizing Sustainable Transport for Development, provides a focused set of recommendations on ways the transport sector can help efforts to cut down on poverty while also promoting economic growth and fighting against climate change.
Its recommendations are based on the findings of the independent High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport which was appointed by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon two years ago.
the group is comprised of leaders from the private and public sectors in developed and developing countries and throughout all transport modes and sectors.
They include Deutsche Post DHL (DP DHL) Group, Ethiopian Airlines chief executive, Tewolde Gebre Mariam and Airlines of America vice president of environmental affairs, Nancy Young, along with representatives from the rail, shipping and public transport worlds.
DP DHL chief executive, Frank Appel, said: “There is an urgent need for collective action to face the challenges of climate change. I very much welcome the opportunity to bring our many years of experience in pioneering sustainable transportation solutions and logistics expertise to the table.”
He added that there was “a strong economic case for sustainable transport that includes many clear social benefits. We have worked together over the past two years to explore how to effectively transform the transport system and I am convinced that the logistics sector can play a leading role in bringing the report’s recommendations to life.”
