Context:

• India's logistics industry, which emits a lot of carbon pollution, needs to reform and become more environmentally friendly.
• India's objective of becoming a Viksit Bharat, or developed nation, by 2047 is based not only on economic ambition, but also on the inclusive and sustainable development of its people, enterprises, and regions.
• If India wants to meet its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070, decarbonising its logistics sector must become a top priority.

Viksit Bharat @2047 The Viksit Bharat @2047 program seeks to see India completely developed by 2047, when it marks the centennial of its freedom. This revolutionary agenda gives effective governance, sustainable advancement top priority as well as inclusive development. At the center of this change are the young Indians, who are supposed to be the key drivers behind it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined their importance when he said, "Youth power is both the agent of change and the beneficiaries of change." By means of venues like the Voice of Youth, the initiative seeks to harness the ideas, creativity, and energy of the younger generation, thereby tying their aspirations with the national development objectives and so fostering a future of innovation, progress, and self-reliance.A major step has been taken to make Viksit Bharat 2047 a reality.

Environmental and Economic Overview of India’s Logistics Sector

• By allowing smooth flow of products and services across areas, the logistics industry in India consists of road, rail, air, maritime, and warehouse infrastructure, so playing a vital part in national economic progress.
• The modernisation and decarbonisation of logistics is a major focus to guarantee both economic development and environmental sustainability as India wants to reach a GDP of USD 5.5 trillion by 2027.
• One of the most carbon-intensive sectors, the logistics sector also significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions—roughly 13.5% of India's overall emissions.
• Road transport dominates the sector, supporting nearly 90% of passenger traffic and 70% of freight movement. Consequently, over 88% of logistics-related emissions originate from road-based systems, particularly by burning fossil fuels.
• Trucks alone contribute nearly 38% of CO₂ emissions, underscoring the urgent need for systemic shifts toward cleaner alternatives in freight transportation.
• Railways, airways, and maritime transport represent smaller shares of emissions but are expected to gain prominence due to government-driven diversification efforts in transport modes.
• Government projections (2030 goals) include:
• Tripling the cargo and passenger traffic via inland waterways.
• By 1.2 times, increasing coastal shipping load. These steps seek to lower road over-dependence, increase cost-effectiveness, and improve environmental friendliness.
• Although these forecasts offer logistical and financial benefits, they should be carried out with an eye towards green logistics using sustainable energy solutions, multimodal transportation integration, and infrastructure enhancements.
• Though it poses several difficulties—high fuel dependency, scattered supply chains, poor multimodal infrastructure, and environmental damage—the industry also presents chances for policy reform, digitalization, and the green transition.
• Promoting electric vehicles, biofuels, and dedicated freight corridors, along with incentivizing modal shift to rail and waterways, can help mitigate the carbon intensity of logistics.

Decarbonising India's Logistics Sector

1. India's logistics industry is expanding quickly and finds itself in a pivotal point where it has to strike a compromise between environmental sustainability and economic development.
2. Decarbonisation of logistics is not just an ecological necessity, but a strategic imperative for building a resilient and globally competitive economy.
3. Logistics contributes approximately 13.5% of India's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of this, road transport alone is responsible for over 88% of logistics-related emissions.
4. Within road transport, trucks are the largest individual contributors, accounting for 38% of CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2023). Passenger transport constitutes 90%, while freight movement makes up 70% of road usage.
5. Other emission sources in logistics include:
• Domestic aviation: Roughly 4% of total logistics emissions.
• Coastal and inland shipping: Lower emission share but still contribute to the overall carbon footprint.
• Warehousing sector: A significant indirect emitter that supports freight movement and adds to the total logistics emissions.
6. Rail freight presents a more sustainable alternative, being significantly less polluting than road transport. It serves as a low-carbon or nearly carbon-free mode of transportation.
7. Global best practices highlight the effectiveness of modal shift from road to rail in reducing emissions:
• China has expanded its rail network coverage to handle nearly 50% of total freight, aided by heavy investments and long-term planning.
• The United States has increasingly adopted rail transport, recognizing it as one of the first viable solutions for freight decarbonization.
8. India has already made notable progress by electrifying a significant portion of its railway network, laying a strong foundation for further modal shift towards rail freight.
9. To accelerate decarbonisation, India should:
• Enhance investment in rail freight infrastructure.
• Encourage public-private partnerships to fund and manage this transition.
• Adopt digital tracking, route optimization, and energy-efficient practices across logistics and warehousing systems.
• Promote multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs) that integrate rail, road, and waterways, reducing dependency on road transport.
10. A green transformation in Indian logistics depends on using international benchmarks and supporting local innovation.
11. Strategic policy interventions are required, such as:

• Green logistics infrastructure subsidies and tax breaks.
• Commercial vehicle and warehouse emissions rules.
• Mandatory sustainability reports for logistics companies and carbon credit systems.

1. A focused approach to freight sector decarbonisation will not only reduce India’s carbon footprint but also:

• Improve logistics efficiency,
• Lower transportation costs,
• Strengthen energy security, and
• Contribute to India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and COP28 targets.

Policy Push and Institutional Support PM Gati Shakti is a national master plan aimed at integrating infrastructure development across ministries and states. It incorporates existing plans like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, UDAN, inland waterways, and dry/land ports. It facilitates multimodal connectivity and targets the development of economic zones such as textile clusters, defense corridors, pharmaceutical hubs, and agro zones to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian businesses. Technological integration is a core feature, utilizing spatial planning tools developed by BiSAG-N and ISRO for real-time, data-driven decision-making. The National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022 focuses on creating an integrated, sustainable, and cost-effective logistics network, improving logistics performance and reducing logistics costs, thereby boosting economic growth. The FAME II Scheme (Rs. 10,000 crore, 3-year plan from 2019) supports the adoption of electric vehicles (xEVs), with 86% of funds allocated for demand incentives. It targets support for 7000 e-buses, 5 lakh e-3 wheelers, 55,000 e-cars, and 10 lakh e-2 wheelers. The Green Energy Corridor (GEC) addresses transmission deficits for renewable energy. It includes InSTS and ISTS, and features Renewable Energy Management Centers (REMCs), storage infrastructure, and reactive power compensation for effective grid integration.

Green Transformation in India’s Logistics Sector

Not just for environmental sustainability but also for improving competitiveness, resilience, and future-ready infrastructure building is decarbonisation of logistics vital.

• Rail Freight Expansion:
  • Railways are a low-emission mode of transport due to India’s early adoption of electrification.
  • Shifting freight from road to rail can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, highway congestion, and logistics costs.
  • Full electrification of railways could save 2.83 billion litres of fossil fuel annually.
  • Examples from China and the USA demonstrate successful large-scale freight rail adoption, with rail accounting for nearly 50% of freight in China.
• Electrification of Road Transport:
  • Although last-mile connection depends on road travel, it still is a primary source of emissions.
  • A experimental project on the Delhi-Jaipur corridor introduces overhead electric lines for electric trucks, therefore transforming road freight.
  • While greatly reducing emissions, this project guarantees financial viability.
• Green Maritime and Inland Waterway Transport:
  • Coastal shipping and inland waterways are being developed to increase cargo movement by 1.2 times by 2030.
  • These modes present significant potential for decarbonization using cleaner fuels like LNG, biofuels, methanol, ammonia, and electricity.
  • India can adopt LNG-powered ships, solar-assisted electric boats, and biofuel-run barges.
  • Providing a foundation for India's approach, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) aims a 50% decrease in world shipping emissions by 2050 (relative to 2008 levels).
• Sustainable Aviation:
  • Air transport remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise due to reliance on refined fossil fuels.
  • Solutions include the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and emission offset mechanisms from improvements in other sectors.
• Energy-Efficient Warehousing:
  • Warehousing contributes substantially to emissions due to high energy consumption and outdated infrastructure.
  • Adoption of renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal systems in warehouses can drastically reduce the carbon footprint.
  • Integrating green energy into warehousing also enhances cost-effectiveness and energy security.
• Policy and Strategic Outlook:
  • By 2030 the government wants treble cargo and passenger circulation on inland rivers.
  • Innovations across rail, road, marine, aviation, and storage logistics have to be included into a thorough decarbonisation road plan.
  • Decarbonising logistics is not just about emissions—it is central to creating a robust and competitive industry aligned with global sustainability standards.

Conclusion

By boosting rail goods, electrifying road transport, utilising cleaner marine fuels, and optimising warehouse energy efficiency India can build a high-performance logistics network with less of an impact on the environment.  This is the time to act; India can set the benchmark for creating a greener, cleaner, more efficient logistics environment employing appropriate investments and laws.

Practice Question Q. What challenges exist in their widespread adoption of alternative fuels, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric vehicles (EVs)?