An international comparative study on thedevelopments of green logisticsGuide Words: Green logistics, sustainable development, ecological economy, green production,greenconsumptionAbstract: Since the concept of green logistics was proposed in the early 1990s, the governments, theacademia and the business community around the world have paid a lot of attention to the greenlogistics.Green logistics is based onthe sustainabledevelopment,resource conservation andenvironmentfriendly.It canhelp ustodeal withtherelationship effectivelybetween thelogisticsdevelopment and environmental protection, and make the economic interests,social interests andenvironmental interests unity. At present, the development of the green logistics in China is stillrelatively backward. In order to accelerate the development of the green logistics in China andimprove its quality,this paper collected and collated some successful practices and experience ofothercountries by the methods of the literature analysisand summarizes.Combined withthenationalconditions of china, this paper proposed some suitable measures and recommendations, and they willhave the actual significance to improve the logistics level.L.INTRODUCTIONWith the rapid development of social economy and the greatly enhance of the human materialcivilization, the resources on the earth have been dwindling, and the living environment of humanbeings is facing with more and more threats. In this context, a wave of "green wave" is raised in theglobal in 1990s, and green movement are infiltrating to all areas. Modern logistics industry is thebackbone of national economies, and its comprehensive and relevance are strong. With the emergenceof new economic, such as information economy and network economy, the logistics has been givennew knowledge, new technology and new management thought, and logistics industry has developedto the direction of thespecialization and scale.But with the increaseof the amount of logistics.changes of logistics management and large scale of the logistics facilities and tools, the influence ofthe logistics system on the ecological environment has become more and more serious.To solve this problem, the concept of "green logistics" was born in some developed countries. Atpresent, green logistics is still a full new concept, and it is lack of mature theoretical system, but thesocial and economic value it appears is enormous.II. THE CONCEPT OF GREEN LOGISTICSGreen logistics can inhibit the damage of the logistics to the environment during the logistics
An international comparative study on the developments of green logistics Guide Words：Green logistics, sustainable development, ecological economy, green production, green consumption Abstract：Since the concept of green logistics was proposed in the early 1990s, the governments, the academia and the business community around the world have paid a lot of attention to the green logistics. Green logistics is based on the sustainable development, resource conservation and environment friendly. It can help us to deal with the relationship effectively between the logistics development and environmental protection, and make the economic interests, social interests and environmental interests unity. At present, the development of the green logistics in China is still relatively backward. In order to accelerate the development of the green logistics in China and improve its quality, this paper collected and collated some successful practices and experience of other countries by the methods of the literature analysis and summarizes. Combined with the national conditions of china, this paper proposed some suitable measures and recommendations, and they will have the actual significance to improve the logistics level. I. INTRODUCTION With the rapid development of social economy and the greatly enhance of the human material civilization, the resources on the earth have been dwindling, and the living environment of human beings is facing with more and more threats. In this context, a wave of "green wave" is raised in the global in 1990s, and green movement are infiltrating to all areas. Modern logistics industry is the backbone of national economies, and its comprehensive and relevance are strong. With the emergence of new economic, such as information economy and network economy, the logistics has been given new knowledge, new technology and new management thought, and logistics industry has developed to the direction of the specialization and scale. But with the increase of the amount of logistics, changes of logistics management and large scale of the logistics facilities and tools, the influence of the logistics system on the ecological environment has become more and more serious. To solve this problem, the concept of "green logistics" was born in some developed countries. At present, green logistics is still a full new concept, and it is lack of mature theoretical system, but the social and economic value it appears is enormous. II. THE CONCEPT OF GREEN LOGISTICS Green logistics can inhibit the damage of the logistics to the environment during the logistics
process, achieve the purification to the logistics environment, and make thebest use of logisticsresources.Basedontheconceptofsustainabledevelopment,thispapergivesaconstitutesystemdiagram ofgreen logistics (Figure1)green supplylog isticsgreen production logisticsgreen saleslogisticsgreengreendesigngreengreenmanufacturinggreen machimingcirculationprocurement4remanIregenerationprocessinaufactuingconsumerenvironment1materialmaterialsproductproductdisposalclisassembledismantlingrecalls1energyreCoveryandconverted toincinerationcleanfuelReverse logisticsFigure 1.Green logistics systemIIL.DIFFERENCESBETWEENGREENLOGISTICSANDTRADITIONALLOGISTICSThedifferencesbetweentraditionallogisticsandgreenlogisticsareasshowninTable1.Table i.Differencesbetweengreen logistics and traditional logisticstrsditieml logitisgrenlogistiesTo achieve sustainable dlevelopment as the ultimateTo achieve high efficiency of logistics as thegoal of, and to logistics technological progress andulfimateultimate goal and to the ervironmental degradlationimnovation as the basis While pursuing of logisticsgoalas the cost.efficiency,eliminatesgradually theimpactofthelogisticsprocessto theevironment.The actors notonly inclucle logistics enterprise itself.but the manufacturing and retail enterpises in theOnly to the logistics business itself as theupstream and downstream of the supplychain Therefore,actorsactors it's difficult to realize the integration andthe actors can achieve effectively symergy, integrate theoptimal allocation of the reso urcesexisting resources, redluce the waste ofresources, andimproveresourceutilizationIt has the circular characteristics.It can consider theOnlyconsiders the forward logisticsfromgreen aspects ofthe forward logistics, but akso considerlogisticsresource extraction to poduct and consume, andthe reverse logistics system ofgreen in the supply chainneglects the reverse logistics that the wasteincludingtherecyclingofthewastefrsources,thsystemrecycling of thewastematerials thecollection of thematerials,recyclimgof renewableresourcesfomedresource waste and so onIV.GREENLOGISTICSDEVELOPMENTANALYSISINABROADThis paper summarizes and analyzes the green logistics development of Germany, the UnitedStates and Japan. This study can suggest a direction for the green logistics development in china.A.GermanyThelogisticscapabilityinGermanyisrankedfirstintheworld,anditrepresentsthedevelopmentdirectionof theglobal logistics industry1) Establish the transport network of low-carbon emissions.According to the research, throughout the logistics links, the road transport is the largest part ofcarbonemissions.Inordertoreducecarbonemissions,theytransportmainlybytrainorship inGerman. They already have a perfect network for the transport by rail and ship, and already have more
process, achieve the purification to the logistics environment, and make the best use of logistics resources. Based on the concept of sustainable development, this paper gives a constitute system diagram of green logistics (Figure 1). Figure 1. Green logistics system III. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GREEN LOGISTICS AND TRADITIONAL LOGISTICS The differences between traditional logistics and green logistics are as shown in Table 1. Table i. Differences between green logistics and traditional logistics IV. GREEN LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS IN ABROAD This paper summarizes and analyzes the green logistics development of Germany, the United States and Japan. This study can suggest a direction for the green logistics development in china. A. Germany The logistics capability in Germany is ranked first in the world, and it represents the development direction of the global logistics industry. 1) Establish the transport network of low-carbon emissions. According to the research, throughout the logistics links, the road transport is the largest part of carbon emissions. In order to reduce carbon emissions, they transport mainly by train or ship in German. They already have a perfect network for the transport by rail and ship, and already have more
than 50 logistics villages.2)Collaborativetransportmodeof thegreen intermodal.Intermodal is the means that operators take at least two different modes of transport to transport.Green intermodal is the means that operating vehicles must meet the environmental requirements andthe driver must know the energy saving technologies.3) Use the leasing widely.The logistics enterprises in Germany use commonly the leasing of transportation, According tothe latest survey, transport trucks on the road in Germany almost 80% are leased.The governmentusually gives some financial support about the highwaycharges.4)Theperfectgreenlogisticstrainingmodel.Germany pays more attention to awareness propaganda of green to the customer, and trains thestaff. The training is mandatory, and all the company employees must participate. According to thesurvey,itsadvancedmodularlogisticstrainingmodeliscomposedofmorethan3oOmodulesinvolving more than 5,o00 types of logistics.5) Advanced green logistics technologies. Germany pays more attention to the R&D of greenlogistics technology, meanwhile, Germany is the world's largest exporter of green logistics technology.In 2006, German exports of green technology have close to 100 million Euros, and increases morethan 20% than 2005.Germany pays more attention to the application of scientific and technologicalmeans and the use of computer information, from the GPS to the team's information management andto the ultimately track positioning systems.B.The United StatesThe United States is one of the first countries developing the logistics industry in the worldAccording to statistics, there are five U.S company in the top ten logistics companies in the world. Inthe economic and social environment of the logistics highly developed, thus. Government constantlyadjusts the macroeconomic policy to ensure green logistics development. The United States in its 2025"National transportation science and technology development strategy" set the overall objective".1) Green supply chain management. Implementing green management to the supply chain is akind of environmental protection and ecological management from the supply of raw materialspurchasing,production,use,consumption,towasterecycling,reuseof thewholeprocess.Thecoreofmanagement is to make the whole supply chain harmonization in environmental management, andmake the environment and green.2) Pay more attention to reverse logistics. When developing environmental policy objectives, theenvironmental analysis experts in U.S usually to“minimize the impact on the environment" as thetarget They advocate usually the policy and strategy, such as minimizing resource consumption,wasting reduction and improving environmental quality,and soon.IntheUS,manycompanieshaveestablished reverse logistics management systems, aiming at product returns, repair and waste
than 50 logistics villages. 2) Collaborative transport mode of the green intermodal. Intermodal is the means that operators take at least two different modes of transport to transport. Green intermodal is the means that operating vehicles must meet the environmental requirements and the driver must know the energy saving technologies. 3) Use the leasing widely. The logistics enterprises in Germany use commonly the leasing of transportation. According to the latest survey, transport trucks on the road in Germany almost 80% are leased. The government usually gives some financial support about the highway charges. 4) The perfect green logistics training model. Germany pays more attention to awareness propaganda of green to the customer, and trains the staff. The training is mandatory, and all the company employees must participate. According to the survey, its advanced modular logistics training model is composed of more than 300modules, involving more than 5,000 types of logistics. 5) Advanced green logistics technologies. Germany pays more attention to the R&D of green logistics technology; meanwhile, Germany is the world's largest exporter of green logistics technology. In 2006, German exports of green technology have close to 100 million Euros, and increases more than 20% than 2005. Germany pays more attention to the application of scientific and technological means and the use of computer information, from the GPS to the team's information management and to the ultimately track positioning systems. B. The United States The United States is one of the first countries developing the logistics industry in the world. According to statistics, there are five U.S company in the top ten logistics companies in the world. In the economic and social environment of the logistics highly developed, thus. Government constantly adjusts the macroeconomic policy to ensure green logistics development. The United States in its 2025 "National transportation science and technology development strategy" set the overall objective". 1) Green supply chain management. Implementing green management to the supply chain is a kind of environmental protection and ecological management from the supply of raw materials, purchasing, production, use, consumption, to waste recycling, reuse of the whole process. The core of management is to make the whole supply chain harmonization in environmental management, and make the environment and green. 2) Pay more attention to reverse logistics. When developing environmental policy objectives, the environmental analysis experts in U.S usually to “minimize the impact on the environment" as the target. They advocate usually the policy and strategy, such as minimizing resource consumption, wasting reduction and improving environmental quality, and so on. In the US, many companies have established reverse logistics management systems, aiming at product returns, repair and waste
recovery.They take the initiative toextent their responsibilitiesin order to enhance theincompetitiveness.3) Using green packaging. In 1960s, the United States began to pay more attention to packagingand environmental protection. The several reasons ensure the green packaging in the United Statesimplementsmoothly.a) The perfect legal protection: The U.S.government mandatory recycles packaging waste andpromotestheuseofrenewableresources byformulatinglawsandregulations,environmentaladvocacy and third of the green new materials and so on. By 1988, 21states in the United States hadenacted laws and regulations to restriction and prohibition the use of certain plastic packagingproducts.b)Theimplementationofenvironmentallabelingsystem:By1988,therehadbeen36statesintheUnited States implementing the environment through joint identification system by joint legislativeThe main approach was: to promote the use of "green flag" or “renewable signs" in some plasticcontainers or packaging, to tell consumers which can be regenerated tousle.c) Packaging industry improves continuously the green program:At present, the packagingindustry in thus mainly uses two kinds of green programs:First, a 15%annual reduction inconsumption of raw materials; Second, the utilization of packaging products for recycling is at least20%. Many states have passed legislation to determine the recovery of packaging waste fixed, andformulated any company can apply for tax exemption as long as certain provisions of the recyclingpackaging waste utilization. Through these regulations, the United States in the recycling containershas made remarkable achievements, the amount of carton packaging recycling up to 4 million tonseach year, and they can be reused after being treated.d)R&D of new environmentally friendly packaging materials:Some companies and researchinstitutions in the U.S. develop and introduce continuously new environmentally friendly packagingmaterials.4) Use advanced green technology. General corporate in the US use many advanced technologiesduring the logistics, such as transportation, distribution, packaging and so on. These advancedtechnologies include electronic data interchange (EDI),time production (JIT), distribution planninggreen packaging, and so on. They can provide strong technical support and protection for the greenlogistics activities [8].C.JapanIn 1956, Japan comprehensive imported a modern logistics management concepts from theUnited States, since then, the logistics industry has been as the lifeline of economic development ofJapan, and the green logistics has been paid more attentions. The government of Japan and enterprisesattach great importance to green logistics management. In 2009, Japan referred to build internationallycompetitive logistics market, and create to reduce the environmental load of the logistics system and
recovery. They take the initiative to extent their responsibilities in order to enhance their competitiveness. 3) Using green packaging. In 1960s, the United States began to pay more attention to packaging and environmental protection. The several reasons ensure the green packaging in the United States implement smoothly. a) The perfect legal protection: The U.S. government mandatory recycles packaging waste and promotes the use of renewable resources by formulating laws and regulations, environmental advocacy and third of the green new materials and so on. By 1988, 21states in the United States had enacted laws and regulations to restriction and prohibition the use of certain plastic packaging products. b) The implementation of environmental labeling system: By 1988, there had been 36 states in the United States implementing the environment through joint identification system by joint legislative. The main approach was: to promote the use of "green flag" or “renewable signs" in some plastic containers or packaging, to tell consumers which can be regenerated tousle. c) Packaging industry improves continuously the green program: At present, the packaging industry in thus mainly uses two kinds of green programs: First, a 15%annual reduction in consumption of raw materials; Second, the utilization of packaging products for recycling is at least 20%. Many states have passed legislation to determine the recovery of packaging waste fixed, and formulated any company can apply for tax exemption as long as certain provisions of the recycling packaging waste utilization. Through these regulations, the United States in the recycling containers has made remarkable achievements, the amount of carton packaging recycling up to 4 million tons each year, and they can be reused after being treated. d) R&D of new environmentally friendly packaging materials: Some companies and research institutions in the U.S. develop and introduce continuously new environmentally friendly packaging materials. 4) Use advanced green technology. General corporate in the US use many advanced technologies during the logistics, such as transportation, distribution, packaging and so on. These advanced technologies include electronic data interchange (EDI), time production (JIT), distribution planning, green packaging, and so on. They can provide strong technical support and protection for the green logistics activities [8]. C. Japan In 1956, Japan comprehensive imported a modern logistics management concepts from the United States, since then, the logistics industry has been as the lifeline of economic development of Japan, and the green logistics has been paid more attentions. The government of Japan and enterprises attach great importance to green logistics management. In 2009, Japan referred to build internationally competitive logistics market, and create to reduce the environmental load of the logistics system and
recycling society in the latest revision of the"integrated logistics facilities policy framework"1)Government formulates the relevant system.The government in Japan provides not only thespecific planning and strong financial support to the green logistics, but also a good system ofprotectionforthedevelopmentofgreenlogisticsindustry.In196Os,theJapanesegovernmentbegantoattachimportancetoadjusttheflowpolicy andformulaterelatedfunctions of theregulationsforthedevelopmentoflogistics.2) Government formulating the target value of green logistics. In order to reduce the load of thelogistics to the environment, Japan introduced specifically some specific target valueofgreen logisticsimplementation, such as utilization of pallets of goods, the residence time of the goods stay in place,and so on.In 1989,Japan proposed three green logisticspromoting objectives in 10 years target.Theywere:emission standards of thenitrogen compoundsreduced the3%to6%,particulatematter emitsreduced by 6%, and the sulfur components in gasoline decreased 10%. In 2010, they developed thetarget that the utilization of the railway and maritime transport in long distance cargo transportationenhanced to50%[9],3) Composite transport energy transport system. Toad dress global warming, air pollution, trafficcongestion, and energy constraints, and so on, the Japanese government and logistics industriesactively in the implement the mode switch in transport, for example, to change the traditional way ofthe main motor transport, using the less impact on the environment by the railways and mainly in theform of maritime transport, shipping methods, within the city distribution system and adopt commonenergy-saving drive. In particular, the implementation of a variety of transport modes and flexible wayof converting the complex transport,play abroad,rail and ocean shipping to their respectiveadvantages to conduct various forms of combined transport of goods.4)Constructveinlogisticssystem.Venoussystemisthelogisticsthatfromtheconsumertothesupplier or other materials recovery are upstream of the logistics channel, the equivalent of the venoussystem of human blood circulation. By constructing a complete venous logistics system, to promotethe recovery and utilization of various wastes, conserve natural resources and develops renewableresourcerecycling(Figure2)5) Green logistics cooperation. In order to improve the logistics efficiency, Japan has set up a"green logistics cooperation conference", and used to send grants and developed carbon dioxideemissions calculation methods to improve cargo owners and logistics coordination and cooperationamongenterprises.In addition,topromotethedevelopmentof greenlogisticscooperation,Japanhasdeveloped the overall program to guide the efficiency of city logistics city logistics of the operationBypromotingthelogistics network facilities integratedand distribution business efficiency,toreduceenvironmental impact and improve the regional activity [10]
recycling society in the latest revision of the "integrated logistics facilities policy framework". 1) Government formulates the relevant system. The government in Japan provides not only the specific planning and strong financial support to the green logistics, but also a good system of protection for the development of green logistics industry. In 1960s, the Japanese government began to attach importance to adjust the flow policy and formulate related functions of the regulations for the development of logistics. 2) Government formulating the target value of green logistics. In order to reduce the load of the logistics to the environment, Japan introduced specifically some specific target value of green logistics implementation, such as utilization of pallets of goods, the residence time of the goods stay in place, and so on. In 1989, Japan proposed three green logistics promoting objectives in 10 years target. They were: emission standards of the nitrogen compounds reduced the 3% to 6%, particulate matter emits reduced by 6%, and the sulfur components in gasoline decreased 10%. In 2010, they developed the target that the utilization of the railway and maritime transport in long distance cargo transportation enhanced to50% [9]. 3) Composite transport energy transport system. Toad dress global warming, air pollution, traffic congestion, and energy constraints, and so on, the Japanese government and logistics industries actively in the implement the mode switch in transport, for example, to change the traditional way of the main motor transport, using the less impact on the environment by the railways and mainly in the form of maritime transport, shipping methods, within the city distribution system and adopt common energy-saving drive. In particular, the implementation of a variety of transport modes and flexible way of converting the complex transport, play abroad, rail and ocean shipping to their respective advantages to conduct various forms of combined transport of goods. 4) Construct vein logistics system. Venous system is the logistics that from the consumer to the supplier or other materials recovery are upstream of the logistics channel, the equivalent of the venous system of human blood circulation. By constructing a complete venous logistics system, to promote the recovery and utilization of various wastes, conserve natural resources and develops renewable resource recycling (Figure 2). 5) Green logistics cooperation. In order to improve the logistics efficiency, Japan has set up a "green logistics cooperation conference”, and used to send grants and developed carbon dioxide emissions calculation methods to improve cargo owners and logistics coordination and cooperation among enterprises. In addition, to promote the development of green logistics cooperation, Japan has developed the overall program to guide the efficiency of city logistics city logistics of the operation. By promoting the logistics network facilities integrated and distribution business efficiency, to reduce environmental impact and improve the regional activity [10]