Transportation is often the primary focus when discussing sustainable logistics solutions, as it is a major energy consumer and environmental polluter. However, other logistical systems, such as logistics and distribution centers, terminals, warehousing, and handling systems, also significantly improve energy and ecological efficiency and the sustainability of logistics solutions within the supply chain. This aspect is often underrepresented, which motivated this discussion to highlight the various aspects of sustainability in logistics real estate in more detail. In fact, sustainability in logistics real estate is examined from two main angles: sustainable locations and facilities.
Sustainable Logistics Locations
Location selection is one of the most challenging tasks in logistics. Traditionally, location criteria for logistics properties prioritize good connections with transportation infrastructure, various transport modes, and logistics networks at the macro level and solid connectivity with end users and service locations at the micro level. This logistics-oriented approach to location selection significantly contributes to energy and environmental sustainability.
Based on these criteria, logistics centers and warehouses would ideally be located close to end-use and consumption points, as this would minimize delivery times, distribution costs, energy consumption, and emissions from transport.
However, achieving this is challenging in practice. Buyers and consumers are often in urban areas where space for logistics properties is limited and expensive. Additionally, traffic congestion and local transport and operating hours regulations can restrict logistics operations in these areas. As a result, logistics systems and facilities are often moved to the outskirts of large cities. A key question then becomes where to locate them and how far from end users and delivery sites, as this directly impacts transport volume and environmental effects. Delivery of goods largely relies on road transport, which emits significant amounts of CO2 and other pollutants. If logistics and distribution centers are far from urban areas, this increases vehicle starts, empty return trips, travel distances, energy consumption, and pollution. Positioning logistics systems closer to urban areas and near highways, railways, airports, and other transport hubs and terminals is preferable. This allows for intermodal transport systems that use more energy- and eco-efficient transportation methods. Indicators that highlight the importance of this approach include energy use and emissions per ton-kilometer (tkm): road transport consumes about 2,890Â KJ/tkm and emits approximately 139.8Â gCO2/tkm; rail transport uses about 667 KJ/tkm and emits 15.6Â gCO2/tkm, while river transport averages 423Â KJ/tkm and emits around 50.62Â gCO2/tkm.
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Besides transport distance, the land used for logistics locations is also essential for sustainability, as it could otherwise be used for agriculture, water management, forestry, or other ecosystems. Preserving the natural environment and contributing to biodiversity is crucial here. Land use and building construction impact the environment negatively by reducing rainwater absorption, disrupting the natural circulation of air and water, destroying green areas, and altering the landscape and visual environment. The area also loses its ability to absorb carbon and other pollutants, creating lasting consequences. Logistics real estate is increasingly occupying more land. In Europe, it is estimated that around 23 percent of commercial real estate is devoted to logistics. There are over a million square meters of logistics and industrial space in the Belgrade region, mainly on former fertile land along the Belgrade–Šid and Belgrade–Novi Sad highways. This trend of land occupation continues. Facilities are generally up to 10 or 15 meters high. Still, by constructing high rack warehouses up to 40 meters tall, land use would be much more efficient, resulting in less environmental impact. Such facilities are also more energy-efficient.
Sustainability also improves when existing sites or previously used industrial or commercial properties that are now abandoned, underutilized, or contaminated are repurposed instead of converting agricultural land into building land. This saves space, helps clear polluted land, and removes environmental hazards. Often, these sites have existing transportation, utility, and technical infrastructure that can be reused rather than building new structures from scratch.
Milorad Kilibarda, PhD
Read the whole story in the new issue of the Energy portal Magazine ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT
