Spearheading Efficiency and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains

This briefing by RMI outlines how G20 nations can reduce the environmental impact of the logistics sector, which currently accounts for 10 percent of global emissions. It advocates for a four-pronged strategy involving operational reimagining, policy frameworks, infrastructure redevelopment, and the mobilization of finance to transition the sector toward sustainability.

• The global logistics sector is projected to grow from US$8.9 trillion to US$18.2 trillion by the end of the current decade, while currently contributing over a tenth of global GDP and 10 percent of global emissions.
• RMI proposes four key strategies for G20 stakeholders to promote sustainable logistics: sustainable operations, effective policy frameworks, improved infrastructure, and financial investments.
• Operational improvements to reduce carbon emissions include the implementation of eco-driving programs, efficient vehicle selection, sustainable packaging, and environmentally conscious warehousing.
• Infrastructure development should focus on creating logistics parks as centralized hubs, upgrading roads with bypasses and ring roads to move commercial traffic away from urban centers, and establishing zero-emissions trucking corridors with charging infrastructure.
• To overcome high capital risks, the document recommends public-private partnerships and the use of multilateral development organizations to provide developing nations with below-market interest rates and extended repayment horizons.

APA

RMI (2024). Spearheading Efficiency and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains. https://rmi.org/resources/spearheading-efficiency-and-sustainability-in-global-supply-chains/

Chicago

RMI. Spearheading Efficiency and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/spearheading-efficiency-and-sustainability-in-global-supply-chains/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Spearheading Efficiency and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains |date=18 January 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/spearheading-efficiency-and-sustainability-in-global-supply-chains/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024spearheading, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Spearheading Efficiency and Sustainability in Global Supply Chains}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/spearheading-efficiency-and-sustainability-in-global-supply-chains/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }