Abstract

            The world is experiencing the effects of climate change caused
by our thriving economies. The impact of climate change poses an imminent
threat to the modern world and the way the world has become accustomed to
living. Around the globe, the Earth’s surface temperatures continue to rise to
unprecedented levels. The world is witnessing the effects of global warming
caused by large quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The transportation
and logistics sector is a profitable and competitive market. As a result, it is
one of the biggest pollution generators worldwide. The transportation and
logistics industries will significantly impact the planet if governments,
corporations, and consumers do not reduce carbon emissions. This issue has to
be addressed, as well as how clean energy, transportation, and logistics
innovations can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental
pollutants. This paper will examine today’s business practices in the transportation
and logistics industries and their effects on the environment. It will explore
the origins of sustainable development and its implications for business
practice. It will outline the history of climate change and the effects of
depleting the planet’s natural resources. This research briefly overviews green
logistics, sustainability, and technological advancements in transportation and
logistics. It also explains how green logistics can benefit the transport
industry and the environment. It will review government commitments and discuss
the pros and cons of green logistics. Companies can gain a competitive
advantage and reduce their carbon footprint by adopting green business
practices.

            Keywords: Globalization,
Green logistics, green supply chains, reverse logistics, sustainability, climate
change, transportation, green technology 

Introduction

          In today’s market, companies source raw materials from
different parts of the world, manufacture products in one country, and
distribute them globally. The need for efficient and dependable movement of
goods and services across borders becomes even more critical as the world
becomes interconnected. For companies to remain competitive in today’s global
marketplace, transporting goods swiftly and efficiently from one location to
another is essential. The term “globalization” describes the growing economic,
cultural, social, and political interdependence of nations and their respective
governments (Lutkevich, 2021, para. 1). It is a multilayered phenomenon made
possible by trade, transportation, communication, and technology developments. In
addition, globalization enables organizations to expand their markets beyond
domestic borders, reach more consumers, and expand into new revenue
streams.

          This alluring and competitive market has led to the
development of global supply chains, multinational corporations, and increased
production specialization. Therefore, companies must establish an efficient
logistics and transportation network to exploit these opportunities. In today’s
globalized world, transportation and logistics operations are crucial to
the global economy because they facilitate the movement of raw materials,
services, and people across national borders. Transportation and logistics encompass functions
and services such as supply chain management, warehousing, transportation, and
distribution. Globalization and supply chain management are closely
intertwined. Supply Chain Management (SCM) includes the planning, execution,
and management of the flow of goods from raw material to manufacturing,
distribution, and finally to the end consumer. SCM best practices encourage a
climate that supports global commerce and economic expansion.

         Effective supply chain management ensures on-time delivery of
products to customers, thereby lowering costs and enhancing customer
satisfaction. Over the years, the increasing demand for goods and services has benefited
the economy, transportation, and logistics industries. Unfortunately, globalization
has increased economic activity, subsequently increasing resource consumption. It
has led to unsustainable rates of natural resource exploitation, resulting in
deforestation, overfishing, and depletion of nonrenewable resources. The
expansion of international trade has also increased industrial production,
transportation, and energy consumption. As a result, these activities often
generate substantial quantities of pollutants, greenhouse gases, and debris,
contributing to air, water, and soil pollution and climate change. The reliance
on fossil fuel-powered transportation, such as ships, airplanes, and trucks,
has also contributed to increased carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. Due
to the impact of globalization, the transportation and logistics industry must
prioritize sustainability to mitigate environmental impacts, improve
operational efficiency, and adapt to changing market demands.

Literature Review