What exactly is logistics?

Many people think of logistics as simply moving stuff. The appearance of the word on the sides of trucks certainly gives this impression. In practice logistics is a complex mix of freight transport, storage, handling, inventory management and all the IT required to co-ordinate these activities. It is a function that we all take for granted but without which our economy, indeed whole way of life, would collapse. It is a major industry in its own right, accounting for 12% of global GDP, and a major polluter releasing around 10-11% of global CO₂ emissions. To get a sense of just how important logistics is, have a look at this video. 

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CILT Talk on the Logistics of Carbon Dioxide Removal

I gave an online talk to the Chartered Insitute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) entitled 'Reversing Climate Change: the Logistics of Removing CO2 from the Atmosphere'. It began with a brief update on climate science and climate politics. The more we overshoot emission reduction targets, the more heavily dependent we will become on carbon dioxide removal (CDR).  I traced the recent history of CDR, distinguishing it from the capture of CO2 prior to release into the atmosphere. There are many different methods CDR each with different logistical requirements and challenges.  I focused on the main conventional and novel methods, particularly BECCS, DACCS, enhanced rock weathering, ocean alkalinity enhancement, biochar and afforestation.  I argued that the logistics of CDR needs more research and attention from policy-makers and managers, primarily for five reasons:

To examine the nature and amount of freight movement likely to be generated by CDR.

To assess the logistical feasibility of CDR at the required scale to meet climate targets.

To measure the logistics-related emissions from the end-to-end CDR supply chain

To determine how CDR supply chains can be optimised in terms of net CO2 removal and cost

To explore the business opportunities that CDR will create for logistic service providers

A copy of the presentation, containing weblinks to all the references and data sources, can be downloaded here.