To promote environmentally friendly distribution, a manual on "green logistics" from the perspective of corporate social responsibility (CSR) was prepared by a working group under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and posted on the ministry's website on April 27, 2006. In response to the growing need for eco-friendly material distribution, the manual is designed to provide guidance to businesses that are not familiar with "green logistics" or CSR, by describing the current situation of corporate initiatives in the logistics area and analyzing successful cases.

The manual, intended for distribution companies, cargo shippers and financial institutions, explains "green logistics" initiatives in a clear and concise manner, using specific examples. Individual measures are classified into four categories according to the extent of projected benefits and difficulties in implementation, such as costs incurred.

Certain measures intended to produce significant results at relatively low cost include acquisition of environmental certification such as ISO 14001 and Green Management Certification, distributors' efforts to encourage cargo shippers to get involved in "green logistics," and environmental education to employees. Measures that are expensive but offer major benefits include establishment of joint transportation systems, modal shift, introduction of low-emission vehicles, use of eco-friendly packaging, and energy-saving activities.

http://www.mlit.go.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/07/15 09:03:04 AM
Japanese version

TAG Government , Manufacturing industry , Non-manufacturing industry , Transportation