The main challenges faced by the sector and technology-driven solutions to support transport and logistics companies on their path towards decarbonization.
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Key Sustainability Challenges Facing the Industry Today

Updated on
May 29, 2025

A carbon-neutral European Union by 2050: this is the goal of the European Green Deal. To achieve this target, all industry and service sectors must be decarbonized.

One of these sectors, Logistics and Transportation, is responsible for generating nearly a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Furthermore, this sector has found the decarbonization process challenging and has not achieved the same reductions in emissions compared to other sectors of the economy.

In this article, we outline the main challenges faced by the sector and offer practical, technology-driven solutions to support transport and logistics companies on their path towards decarbonization. Ready to learn more?

Sustainability challenges faced by the sector

The logistics and transportation industry faces significant challenges in its transition towards a decarbonized economy. Four main challenges arise along this journey:

  1. Understanding and applying regulatory frameworks: Companies face uncertainties regarding local, national and European regulations, which can compromise the accuracy of carbon reporting and expose them to legal risks.
  2. Effective data management: The complexity of emission calculations, along with the lack of reliable data and limited digitalization, results in inefficiencies in the supply chain.
  3. Adapting to constant changes: Environmental regulations are continuously evolving, requiring constant updates to calculation methods to meet international standards.
  4. Setting reduction targets: The lack of reliable data makes it difficult to define realistic emission reduction targets and identify priority areas for intervention.

Overcoming these challenges requires a deep understanding of the processes that contribute to emissions, as well as collaboration across the value chain to effectively implement sustainable solutions.

Which sustainability legislation affects the logistics and transportation sectors?

At the European level, two key directives for sustainability are the CSRD and the CBAM.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a European Union initiative aimed at increasing transparency in business activities related to sustainability. It seeks to improve transparency in business activities related to sustainability by addressing environmental, social, and governance aspects.

Affected companies include large enterprises, listed companies (including SMEs), financial institutions, and non-European companies with subsidiaries in the EU.

To better understand what the CSRD is, we suggest you read the article Get ahead of regulations by effectively preparing for the CSRD.

On the other hand, the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) focuses on imports and requires importers to comply with emission regulations.

The initial affected sectors include cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, hydrogen, and electricity. Companies importing into the EU must obtain certificates that reflect the carbon emissions of their imported products to prevent "carbon leakage."

Take a look at all the important features of the CBAM by reading the article CBAM: The key to balancing international trade with a fair carbon price.

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Heloisa Marcineiro
Marketing Manager

Domande frequenti (FAQ)

Come si può calcolare l'impronta di carbonio di un prodotto?

Analisi del calcolo dell'impronta di carbonio tutte le emissioni generate durante il ciclo di vita di un prodotto, compresi l'estrazione, la produzione, il trasporto, l'uso e lo smaltimento delle materie prime.

Le metodologie più riconosciute sono:

  • Valutazione del ciclo di vita (LCA)
  • ISO 14067
  • FINO AL 2050

Strumenti digitali come Dcycle semplifica il processo, fornendo informazioni accurate e fruibili.

Quali sono le certificazioni più riconosciute?
  • ISO 14067 — Definisce la misurazione dell'impronta di carbonio per i prodotti.
  • EPD (Dichiarazione ambientale di prodotto) — Impatto ambientale basato sull'LCA.
  • Da culla a culla (C2C) — Valuta la sostenibilità e la circolarità.
  • PIOMBO E BREAM — Certificazioni per edifici sostenibili.
Quali settori hanno la più alta impronta di carbonio?
  • Costruzione — Elevate emissioni da cemento e acciaio.
  • Tessile — Intenso utilizzo di acqua ed emissioni prodotte dalla produzione di fibre.
  • Industria alimentare — Impatto su larga scala sull'agricoltura e sui trasporti.
  • Trasporto — Dipendenza dai combustibili fossili nei veicoli e nell'aviazione.
In che modo le aziende possono ridurre l'impronta di carbonio dei prodotti?
  • Usare materiali riciclati o a basse emissioni.
  • Ottimizza processi di produzione per ridurre il consumo di energia.
  • Passa a fonti energetiche rinnovabili.
  • Migliorare trasporto e logistica per ridurre le emissioni.
La riduzione del carbonio è costosa?

Alcune strategie richiedono investimento iniziale, ma i benefici a lungo termine superano i costi.

  • Efficienza energetica riduce le spese operative.
  • Riutilizzo e riciclo dei materiali riduce i costi di approvvigionamento.
  • Certificazioni di sostenibilità aprire nuove opportunità di business.

Investire nella riduzione delle emissioni di carbonio non è solo un'azione ambientale, è un strategia aziendale intelligente.