EcoLogistics Indicators

Background Why use the ELI? The indicators How to use the ELI? Download Updates Partners

The EcoLogistics Indicator (ELI) system is a sustainable logistics performance measurement system designed for policymakers to intervene and make informed decisions to improve the logistics system’s efficiency without compromising social, economic, and environmental components. It is a tool for cities to understand their urban logistics performance status quo to identify gaps and opportunities for policy interventions and set targets that meet their vision and goals.

The sustainable development of urban logistics activities is a growing concern in many cities. Driven by e-commerce and the COVID-19 pandemic, urban freight movement is an issue more relevant than ever for cities to address. A sustainable and efficient freight logistics sector is essential to maintain the city’s competitive edge, economic growth, and quality of life. EcoLogistics refers to promoting goods transport by prioritizing health, safety, low-emission, and people-centered urban development. It encourages circular and regional economies while limiting the impact of freight transport.

The EcoLogistics Indicator (ELI) system is a sustainable logistics performance measurement system designed for policymakers to intervene and make informed decisions to improve the logistics system’s efficiency without compromising social, economic, and environmental components.

Why use an EcoLogistics Indicator system?

There is now global recognition of the importance of a comprehensive approach to evaluating the mobility system that captures sustainability’s different facets. However, a coordinated strategy for assessing the ecologistics system is still very much lacking with sporadic attempts. As such, ICLEI hopes to utilize this opportunity to work on a methodological framework to evaluate sustainable urban logistics impacts. It does not seek to be a unique, “one-size-fits-all” framework but allows transferability and
versatility to customize according to the various cities’ needs.

The EcoLogistics Indicator system serves as a self-assessment tool to evaluate the status quo of the city’s approach to managing sustainable urban logistics, with the potential of re-evaluation every two to three years to identify the progress, trends, and needs for intervention. This is part of the process for developing a Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP) or a similar action plan or pathway policy document to intervene and plan for the short-, medium- and long-term strategies.

The EcoLogistics Indicators

Acknowledging the difficulties in terms of time and financial resources needed for cities to collect meaningful data, the EcoLogistics Indicators is by no means an exhaustive list of indicators. The indicators’ goal is to provide policymakers and advisors a snapshot of the city’s ecologistics situation. In developing the indicator systems, various consultations are made with multiple policymakers, academia, and technical consultants, and the final set of indicators is streamlined and selected.

The indicator system is structured into four dimensions that take into account the need for sustainability: (1) environmental sustainability, (2) social equity, (3) economic sustainability, and (4) operational efficiency. In each dimension, various indicators are delineated, and many do interact with each other.

Environmental sustainability

E1 Low-/Zero-emission deliveries
E2 Air quality
E3 Greenhous gas (GHG) emissions
E4 Energy consumption
E5 Noise pollution
E6 Sustainable business

Social equity

S1 Public participation
S2 Safety
S3 Freight employee demographics
S4 Exposure to vulnerable communities

Economic sustainability

EC1 Employment in transport and logistics

Operational efficiency

O1 Mode efficiency
O2 Fleet utilization level
O3 Loading and unloading
O4 Timeliness
O5 Productivity
O6 Distance optimisation

How to use the EcoLogistics Indicator system?

This section presents the steps for cities interested in conducting the assessment. The implementation process is not part of the existing EcoLogistics Indicators process. However, it is suggested that the city continuously revisit and review the progress every two- to three years to understand the progress and for continuous improvement.
ECOLOGISTICS INDICATOR

Published in April 2022

EcoLogistics Indicators - A guide to measuring the performance of urban logistics in cities

Cities need to understand their ecologistics performance’s status quo to identify gaps and opportunities for strengthening policies and interventions. The EcoLogistics Indicator system is structured into dimensions that take into account the need for sustainability: (1) environmental sustainability, (2) social equity, (3) economic sustainability, and (4) operational efficiency.
The EcoLogistics Indicator System has been developed through the EcoLogistics Community, the first city network globally committed to sustainable urban freight development.

Project partners

The ICLEI EcoLogistics Community is the first city network globally committed to a sustainable urban freight future. The Community leads sustainable urban freight development in their cities and drives global actions on the international stage through collaborative exchange, action plans, and stakeholder engagements.

The fifth-largest populated city on the island of Taiwan, Taoyuan is an international transport hub and logistic industry center, home of the 11th busiest airports worldwide by international passenger traffic and the 8th busiest by international freight traffic. ICLEI Member since 2011, Taoyuan now serves as the chair for the first international ICLEI EcoLogistics community.