INITIATIVES AND PRACTICES FOR GREENING LOGISTICS SERVICES ON THE POLISH MARKET – STATUS QUO AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The practice provides us with numerous examples of green initiatives and solutions being implemented by logistics service providers (LSP). They differ from one country to another and their complexity and sophistication depend to a large extent on the development and state of maturity of the logistics market in a particular country. The factors that may influence the adoption of such green solutions were examined in several studies and the problem was investigated from different perspectives (LSP, customers, forwarders). However, there is a lack of research and publications referring to the Polish logistics market within the “green” context. Greening the logistics services seems to be overlooked or neglected.

Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to elaborate the scope and types of green initiatives and best practices implemented by LSPs on the Polish market, 2) to examine the factors behind the (non-)implementation of green solutions by LSP acting in Poland. In order to achieve these goals, the authors scrutinized the Polish logistics market as well as conducted a survey among logistics providers and freight forwarders acting in Poland. The green initiatives and green practices identified were subsequently organized and classified according to a comprehensive taxonomy (e.g., initiatives resulting from regulatory instruments of environmental policy vs. voluntary initiatives; green activities offered on a daily basis vs. those performed only as a special request from a customer). Moreover, the authors also elaborated on the formal system of green certification (e.g., ISO 14001 or BREEAM).

Key words: green initiatives and practices, green logistics; green transport; Logistics Service Provider, logistics services market