Logistics

The Logistics Cluster provides coordination and information management to support operational decision-making and improve the predictability, timeliness and efficiency of the humanitarian emergency response. Where necessary, the Logistics Cluster also facilitates access to common logistics services.

Logistics, among other things, involves procurement, warehouse storage, freight, flights, vehicle fleet management, driving and packaging of materials. All of these components are entry points to use cost-effective and environmental good practices with some preparation and training on the front end.

In the context of humanitarian logistics, green logistics encourages stakeholders to consider the impact of their actions on the environment. Green logistics views “cost” in a wider term than pure monetary cost, considering also the environmental impacts of logistical activities. Consequently, the climate change impacts, air pollution, waste, noise, vibration and accident risk of a logistics chain are examined and mitigated where feasible. The main objective of green logistics is to implement logistics activities across the entire supply chain in such a way that beneficiary needs are met and the cost to the environment are reduced to the extent possible.

Activities should follow the waste hierarchy approach – minimizing rather than managing waste. The follow order of activities is preferred: prevent, minimize, reuse, recycle, recover (including energy), landfill, with uncontrolled disposal not being an acceptable alternative.

Environmental checklist for logistics (adapted from Green Logistics guide):

• What environmental risks do your organization’s activities pose?
• Do the materials you use pose any danger?
• Do you know what impact the material that you supply (including its disposal) and services you provide have on the environment?
• Do you know the quantity or type of waste you produce?
• Do you know how this waste is disposed of or what the cost is?
• Is your organisation operating the most cost-effective method of controlling or eliminating pollution risk?
• Are there hidden benefits such as greater efficiency, or even straight forward business opportunities (for example, commercial utilisation of waste) from adopting alternative methods of controlling or eliminating the pollution risk?
• Are you aware of existing environmental standards and legislation in the country in which you are operating?
• What arrangement do you have for monitoring compliance with environmental legislation?
• Have you calculated greenhouse gas emissions of typical transport routes and considered carbon offsetting?
• Do you have procedures for greening office and warehouse activities (recycling, replacing equipment, installing renewable energy and efficient heating and lighting systems)?
• Is senior management actively engaged in ensuring that proper weight is given to environmental considerations in your organisation?
• Could you improve your environmental image to the donors and employees? And
• Are you highlighting your environmental performance to donors?

Key environmental activities (adapted from Green Logistics guide):

• Operate according to national legislation (as a minimum) and according to international best practice (desirable).
• Map and optimize fleet, packing practices and transport routes, considering alternative modes of transports such as low-emission vehicles.
• Avoid wasting water by checking for leaks and using water efficient appliances and simple water recycling methods.
• Use interceptor tanks and bunding to avoid run-off pollution from fuel dispensing areas.
• Explore options for substituting hazardous chemicals with safer or less toxic alternatives. Where use cannot be avoided, carefully manage and monitor hazardous chemicals on site.
• Keep pallet stacks tidy to reduce safety hazards and the risk of infestation.
• Take steps to better manage the production, collection and disposal of waste including fuel, vehicle batteries, waste oil and tires.
• Ensure sustainable resource extraction for road, storage and air strip construction.
• Consider greening office and warehouse activities (replacing old computers and inefficient air conditioners or lighting, installing of renewable energies, introducing video conferencing and recycling waste)

For vehicles, consider the following (adapted from Green Logistics guide):

• Train drivers to reduce accidents and improve fuel consumption
• Monitor fuel consumption
• Monitor vehicle utilization in terms of both payload and empty running
• Follow preventative maintenance programmes as a poorly serviced vehicles use more fuel; and
• Dispose of used tire casings responsibly.