“Investing in ‘green’ assets pays for itself over and over, both economically and environmentally,” asserts Ketan Kulkarni, Senior Vice President & Head – Marketing, Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Blue Dart Express, during an interaction.
What crucial importance does sustainability hold in the current economic scenario?
Ketan Kulkarni, Blue Dart
Greening of the logistics sector in India needs a holistic strategy that involves planned interventions to make a decisive shift to green transport. Massive investments are required in the form of infrastructure development and upgradation, fuel & system efficiency improvements and mobility management. The spatial arrangement of the various land uses or activities across the city is a very important factor in determining the intra-city travel demand. Therefore, any efforts towards integrated land-use and transport planning can significantly help in reducing the need to travel and lead to reduction in associated costs.
Upgradation in terms of fuel quality and fuel efficiency can promote cleaner fuel by reducing sulphur content and can lead to significant reduction in emissions. Electric vehicles are effective as a green growth intervention yield with multiple benefits, including reduced air pollution. The Government of India recently announced the Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles in India Scheme, which is a step in the right direction. However, in order to accelerate the uptake of this green technology, it is recommended that the scheme be further augmented with substantial additional funding and provisions.
The awareness on the importance of environmental performance (e.g. reduce carbon emission and waste) has made green logistics more significant since the 1990s. The logistics industry must be supportive towards upholding social concerns and making an effort towards the betterment of society, thus focusing on Triple Bottom Line (TBL), prospering while allowing society to prosper.
What aspects according to you make up for the perfect green/sustainable supply chain?
There is an ever-growing sensitivity among customers to opt for a green supply chain service provider and Blue Dart is aligned to their requirements. The ultimate logistics challenge is to find ways, in which ‘green’ can increase revenue, reduce costs and nurture the environment.
Some trends that will transform logistics operations, particularly in emerging markets:
Creative, collaborative planning with customers: Find simple ways to better manage schedule requirements and supply chain planning.
Emerging markets and infrastructure: India needs to adopt cleaner, more efficient trucking. Build better roads, quicker delivery, higher quality, lower environmental impact, and increased fleet regulation.
Industry, government, and civil society working together: Develop standards for measuring, reporting, and managing environmental impact in supply chain and logistics operations.
Regulations enabling positive change and good business: The logistics sector can play a role in crafting and enacting sensible legislation that will enable business, and reduce supply chain environmental impact.
Automated vehicles: In cities, smart trucks and electric vehicles to be used on a larger scale.
Growing consumer awareness: Consumer awareness of product specific carbon footprints will increase pressure that results in new regulation.
What are your sustainable strategies in place?
At Blue Dart, GoGreen isn’t just a pillar under the Living Responsibility credo; it’s something we want to execute relentlessly to make a difference to the huge national green deficit. The company drives greater awareness about environmental stewardship and encourages its employees and stakeholders to live and behave in an environmentally responsible manner. As part of Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) group, Blue Dart aims to follow the mandate of Mission 2050. From now until 2050, the Group’s mission will be to drive business towards zero emissions logistics by setting the standard for the future of the transport sector and doing its part to help the world community reach its goal of limiting global warming to less than two degrees Celsius. The new climate protection goal ‘Zero Emissions 2050’ includes four interim goals that we want to achieve by 2025 as per the DPDHL Sustainable Strategy:
On a global level, an increase of carbon efficiency by 50% as compared to the 2007 baseline.
On a local level, operate 70% of first and last mile services with clean pick-up and delivery solutions, such as bicycles and electric vehicles.
More than 50% of sales to incorporate Green Solutions, making customers’ supply chains greener.
As the success of these sustainability measures depends to a large degree on employee commitment and expertise, we will train 80% of our employees to become certified GoGreen specialists and actively involve them in the Group’s environmental protection activities.
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