Editorial 1: Steering the decarbonisation of India’s logistics sector

Context

India's logistics sector, which produces a lot of carbon emissions, needs to become more eco-friendly.

Introduction

Viksit Bharat is more than just a dream—it's a promise to build a stronger, self-reliant India by 2047. At the heart of this mission is inclusive development, making sure that every citizen, business, and region benefits from growth. But can we reach this goal without a logistics sector that is big, efficient, and ready for the future? From smooth supply chains to strong last-mile delivery, a reliable and scalable logistics network is key to fair and lasting progress.

• Infrastructure, efficiency, and accessibility are key to inclusive logistics growth.
• Environmental focus is equally critical for a future-ready, resilient network.
• India’s logistics sector is among the most carbon-intensive globally.
• A green transformation is essential.
• To meet the 2070 net zero goal, emissions from transport, warehousing, and supply chains must be reduced.

Carbon cost of mobility

• High Carbon Footprint of the Logistics Sector:
  • This sector is a major source of carbon emissions, mainly due to oil combustion.
  • It contributes about 13.5% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Road transport alone accounts for over 88% of these emissions (IEA, 2020).
  • Trucks contribute 38% of CO₂ emissions, with roads handling 90% of passenger travel and 70% of freight movement (IEA, 2023).
• Role of Other Transport Modes: Domestic aviation contributes about 4% to logistics-related emissions.
  • Coastal and inland shipping adds less to emissions compared to road freight.
  • Government plans aim to triple inland waterway movement and increase coastal shipping by 1.2 times by 2030.
• Warehousing Adds to the Burden: The warehousing sector also significantly contributes to emissions, as it supports large-scale freight movement.
• Need for Balanced Growth: The sector must balance economic expansion with sustainability goals.
• Action is urgent—achieving both growth and green goals requires immediate attention.

Shift from Road to Rail: Global Examples

• China:
  • Invested heavily in rail expansion
  • Rail share in freight: ~50%
• United States:
  • Early adopter of rail decarbonisation
  • Efficient, lower-emission transport option
• Lesson for India:
  • Increase rail freight share
  • Rail is electrified, near zero-emission, and cost-efficient

Cleaner Road Freight: India’s Bold Step

• Road freight cannot be ignored
• Structural changes needed for emission cuts
• Recent initiative:
  • Overhead electric wires for trucks
  • Pilot project: Delhi–Jaipur corridor
  • Goal: Efficient, low-emission freight transport

Green Push: Coastal Shipping & Inland Waterways

Air Transport: Hardest to Decarbonise

• High dependence on refined fuels
• Costly transition
• Hope lies in:
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)
  • Offsetting via improvements in other transport sectors

Warehousing: The Hidden Emitter

• High energy consumption = High carbon output
• Green solutions:
  • Shift to solar, wind, geothermal power
  • Focus on energy efficiency in warehouse operations

Conclusion

Decarbonising India’s logistics sector is not just about reducing emissions—it's about creating a stronger, more competitive, and future-ready industry. The sector is at the edge of a major shift, and sustainable growth depends on this change. By increasing rail freight, electrifying road transport, using cleaner fuels in shipping, and improving energy efficiency in warehouses, India can build a high-performing logistics network with lower environmental impact. The time to act is now. With the right policies and investments, India has the potential to become a global leader in developing a cleaner, greener, and more efficient logistics system. The path to a greener future is already laid—now it's time to speed up the journey.