ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability (known as "ICLEI") has launched Eight EcoLogistics Principles that local governments can follow to lead the transition to sustainable urban freight for livable cities. 

Launched as part of Daring Cities, ICLEI announced 8 foundational EcoLogistics Principles aiming to inspire and support governments at all levels to transform their urban freight systems.

The Covid-19 crisis has caused unprecedented disruptions for the freight sector, upending global freight volume demand and ripping through supply chains. 

Video by ICLEI

However, it has also highlighted the importance of logistics operations that bring us goods and there has never been a better moment for cities to reflect on the critical issues concerning the urban freight sector and envision a more sustainable and people-centered mobility ecosystem. 

Clean, safe and efficient freight is essential to every aspect of life in a city, especially in times of crisis.

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Image © Kaohsiung City

EcoLogistics promotes the transportation of goods by giving priority to health, safety, low-emission, and people-centered urban development. 

It encourages circular and regional economies while limiting the impact of freight transport. The EcoLogistics Principles aim to inspire and support governments at all levels to transform their urban freight systems through collaborative efforts in stakeholder engagement, technologies, policies and land use planning.

Image © Kaohsiung City

Globally, urban freight represents up to 25% of urban vehicles, takes up to 40% of motorized road space, and contributes to up to 40% of urban transport-related CO2 emissions.

The EcoLogistics Principles set out how cities can work together to address challenges posed by urban freight such as air pollution, carbon emissions, congestion and road accidents, to ensure low emission solutions are sustained and enhanced over time, scaling up good practices. Sustainable delivery options using non-motorized vehicles and electric vans can improve efficiency and performance of urban freight. Integrating freight into land-use planning can ensure that deliveries are planned into development from the start. 

The Principles also show how cities should protect land for logistics and provide adequate infrastructure to support consolidation for urban deliveries.

Image courtesy of ICLEI

Online shopping is increasing year on year. Advances in technology make just-in-time deliveries possible. These principles bring together guidance to raise customer awareness of the impact of delivery options and encourage behavioral change. To embrace a sustainable urban freight future, governments can also set up training programs for logistics jobs and to make informed decisions in a responsive urban freight transport system.

"F reight transport and logistics have never been more vital for cities than in these unprecedented times," said ICLEI Secretary General Gino Van Begin. 

"T he EcoLogistics Principles will chart the way to promote clean, sustainable, efficient, and safe urban freight, helping cities to cut emissions and achieve a sustainable future."

"We are facing a “new normal,” in which urban freight has a crucial role to play in achieving sustainability goals and reducing GHG emissions. This requires active engagement and support of both the public and private sectors. The EcoLogistics Principles are building collaborative and long-term alliances designed to support real sustainable freight solutions," said Patricia Calderón Peña, Executive Director of Despacio.

Image © Markus Spiske

"D riven by ICLEI’s vision of EcoLogistics, Taoyuan is implementing innovative logistics-related programs and initiating partnerships with the private sectors to drive our transition to a smart, low emission, people-centered city" said Wen-Tsan Cheng, Mayor of Taoyuan City. 

"A s the Chair of the EcoLogistics Community, Taoyuan municipality endorses the EcoLogistics Principles, which exemplify concrete practices to help cities build sustainable urban freight systems."

Image courtesy of ICLEI

Cities around the world are working with ICLEI through the EcoLogistics project and the EcoLogistics Community and can use these principles as a guide to implement sustainable urban freight planning and policies.

EcoLogistics promotes transportation of goods by giving priority to health, safety, low-emission, and people-centered urban development. It encourages circular and regional economies while limiting the impact of freight transport.

Top image courtesy of ICLEI

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