Development of a green logistics roadmap based on the United Nations climate change conference in Paris

Abstract

Many countries with different levels of development, have gathered together to combine efforts by signing the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. Consequently, countries are submitting Nation- ally Determined Contributions, which includes a set of strategies to be implemented at a country level to reduce national GHGs emissions. However, the already submitted Nationally Determined Contribu- tions, could be regarded as not sufficiently ambitious in terms of emissions reductions, and therefore, could lead to not reaching Paris Agreement environmental goals. Meanwhile, countries have different national features; nevertheless, the relationship between the success of environmental strategies in ac- cordance with a country ́s national features, has received less investigation among scholars. Therefore, the relationship between national dimensions and environmental strategies is highlighted and investi- gated in order to achieve Paris Agreement environmental goals, and consequently address the existing research gap. In this regard, few authors emphasize on existing relationship between produced emissions at national level and Hofstede cultural dimension. While other authors, demonstrate the role of decarbonizing logistics, among other strategies, in realizing significant emissions reductions to reach Paris Agreement environmental goals. It is arguable that there is less attention to logistics sectors among governments. Moreover, a deep analysis of the relationship between national circumstances of a country and different logistics actions did not receive important attention by governments. Therefore, the purpose of writing this dissertation is to investigate national factors influencing Nationally Determined Contributions and to develop a green logistics roadmap for China, Germany, and Morocco in line with Paris Agreement. The consideration of designed thinking approach is emphasized to create a model roadmap; this is mainly due to the suitability of adopting a designed thinking approach for complex environmental projects. The design thinking approach is structured into four main steps. The first step consists of understanding the Paris Agreement to establish a framework for implemented strategies in the studied countries. The second step investigates factors of influence; the results of literature review accentuate existing challenges of the Paris Agreement as its still ongoing negotiations; also the literature highlight critical sectors, including green logistics. Additionally, Hofstede cultural dimensions and climate change education, among other strategies, are considered factors of influence. Furthermore, a causal relationship between economic growth and energy consumption is required in order to evaluate if the studied country has the capacity to increase its environmental pledges or if it will impact its economic growth. The third step highlights suitable organizational, technological and regulatory instruments, ad- ditionally to adequate logistics action suitable for each country-case. Last, the P, D, C, A is defined as an instrument of control to the created model roadmap in order to update the selected strategies. The created roadmaps for China, Germany and Morocco are based on selected strategies, that are suitable for each country in accordance with its national situation, including green logistics strategies, natural climate solutions and climate change education. This dissertation is among studies discovering and analyzing the link between national factors of influence and the choice of strategies to be submitted as Nationally Determined Contributions.