The logistics sector involves the management of goods, information, and resources flowing between the point of origin and the point of consumption. This includes transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and supply chain coordination.
Organisations in this sector range from small logistics firms to large multinational companies. They include freight carriers, shipping companies, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and supply chain consultants.
Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient and effective flow and storage of goods and services. Businesses operating in this sector provide timely, relevant information from the point of origin to the point of consumption to meet customer requirements. The sector encompasses:
A supply chain is made up of all the companies and people involved at each stage of producing and delivering a product or service to a consumer. Some products and services rely on several supply chains to reach the end consumer. Co-ordinating these is the job of logistics sector professionals.
Moving goods nationally and internationally can have a significant environmental impact due to energy consumption, emissions, and waste production. As a result, green logistics is increasingly important at every link in a supply chain, to reduce the industry’s environmental impact, while ensuring ongoing compliance, and maintaining corporate responsibility both to individuals and the economy at large.
Net Zero and biodiversity are also vital; the logistics sector is working hard towards achieving net zero emissions to minimise the industry’s impact while continuing to deliver for customers.
Businesses of all sizes are endeavouring to innovate, introducing cleaner energy sources and improving efficiency in operations to minimise the industry’s wider impact.
As the industry continues to innovate, the logistics sector now offers a wide range of green jobs, such as sustainability managers, environmental analysts, and renewable energy specialists. Logistics companies are increasingly aligning with the Green Agenda by investing in electric vehicles (EVs), green warehouses, and sustainable packaging.
26.9% of logistics companies have made some sustainability changes, with just 1.2% saying their fleet is almost decarbonised
is predicted in the UK’s heavy goods vehicle market by 2026
The logistics industry is responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. For example, road freight contributes approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions.
Generation Logistics is an initiative to find and engage the next generation of logistics talent – people like you. We’re here to highlight the huge opportunities on offer, from entry-level pathways through to graduate programmes. And with some of the world’s biggest employers, too.
IEMA is the membership body for environment and sustainability professionals
