As global temperatures rise and extreme weather event become more frequent, logistics
systems are increasingly vulnerable to disruption. From flooded roads to heat-distorted
railways and overwhelmed ports, the impacts of climate change are already compromising
the efficiency and safety of freight transport worldwide. The Kuehne Climate Center’s latest
publication, Logistics in a +2°C World, offers a timely and urgent call to action: climate
adaptation must become a central priority for shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs)
alike.
A critical blind spot in climate adaptation strategies
While the freight sector has made steps in digitalisation, diversification, and contingency
planning, the report highlights a persistent gap: most adaptation strategies continue to
overlook the logistics dimension. Shippers often concentrate on securing supply or
production, while LSPs rely on business continuity measures designed for past conditions.
This limited approach leaves critical vulnerabilities unaddressed. As climate risks intensify,ranging from prolonged droughts and floods to heatwaves and coastal storms, the likelihood of cascading disruptions is growing. These not only damage infrastructure, delay deliveries, and increase costs, but also threaten worker safety and undermine consumer confidence.
Embedding resilience in logistics systems: A three-part strategy
The Kuehne Climate Center proposes a practical framework for strengthening climate
resilience across freight transport systems, centred around three pillars:
- Assess climate risks proactively: Shippers and LSPs must adopt forward-looking
climate risk assessments that go beyond historical data. Understanding where, when,
and how logistics assets, operations, and workforces are exposed to hazards is the
foundation of any credible adaptation strategy.
2. Enhance operational resilience: Integrating scenario planning, early warning
systems, and emergency response protocols into day-to-day operations is essential.
These measures enable companies to anticipate and respond to disruptions,
reducing downtime and protecting livelihoods. The use of advanced tools such as
digital twins (using a virtual replica of real world systems to help planning) and AI can
further support real-time decision-making.
3. Invest in physical resilience: Infrastructure must be adapted to withstand
increasingly severe climate condition. Where assets are self-owned, companies can
implement direct upgrades; where infrastructure is shared or public, coordinated
action with asset owners and governments will be key. Strengthening bridges,
warehouses, terminals, and transport corridors should be viewed as a shared
responsibility and a long-term investment.
Why adaptation is economically sustainable
Adaptation is not only a climate necessity, it is a strategic investment. According to the
report, the cost of integrating resilience into infrastructure projects typically adds 3% to
capital expenditure, yet yields strong returns by reducing operational losses, preserving
asset value, and preventing costly disruptions.
These benefits are especially significant in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where
climate impacts are more acute and logistics systems often rely on small-scale operators. In
these contexts, targeted support and inclusive co-investment models are essential to ensure
that adaptation efforts are both equitable and effective.
Freight systems as enablers of climate action
Crucially, freight systems do more than move goods. They enable the delivery of essential
services, support low-carbon transitions across other sectors, and provide critical lifelines
during emergencies. Ensuring that they are climate-resilient is therefore not only in the
interest of individual companies, it is in the public interest.
The Kuehne Climate Center and our common partner Life-Links are advancing collaborative
approaches that bring together shippers, LSPs, infrastructure owners, and public authorities.
By jointly investing in practical solutions and knowledge exchange, these stakeholders can
help safeguard supply chains and reduce emissions in tandem.
A decisive moment for the freight sector
As the world edges closer to a +2°C scenario, possibly by 2040, the window for proactive
adaptation is closing. The freight sector must recognise climate resilience as a core
component of sustainable logistics and commit to transformative action today.
The path forward is clear. Now it is time for the logistics community to lead.
