Magdalena Klopott
Gdynia Maritime University, Poland
E-mail: m.klopott@wpit.am.gdynia.pl

Joanna Miklińska
Gdynia Maritime University, Poland
E-mail: j.miklinska@wpit.am.gdynia.pl

Abstract

The practice provides us with numerous examples of green initiatives and
solutions being implemented by logistics service providers (LSP). They differ from
one country to another and their complexity and sophistication depend to a large
extent on the development and state of maturity of the logistics market in a particular
country. The factors that may influence the adoption of such green solutions were
examined in several studies and the problem was investigated from different
perspectives (LSP, customers, forwarders). However, there is a lack of research and
publications referring to the Polish logistics market within the “green” context.
Greening the logistics services seems to be overlooked or neglected.
Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to elaborate the scope
and types of green initiatives and best practices implemented by LSPs on the Polish
market, 2) to examine the factors behind the (non-)implementation of green solutions
by LSP acting in Poland. In order to achieve these goals, the authors scrutinized the
Polish logistics market as well as conducted a survey among logistics providers and
freight forwarders acting in Poland. The green initiatives and green practices
identified were subsequently organized and classified according to a comprehensive
taxonomy (e.g., initiatives resulting from regulatory instruments of environmental
policy vs. voluntary initiatives; green activities offered on a daily basis vs. those
performed only as a special request from a customer). Moreover, the authors also
elaborated on the formal system of green certification (e.g., ISO 14001 or BREEAM).

Key words: green initiatives and practices, green logistics; green transport; Logistics
Service Provider, logistics services market

Last Update: October 26, 2017