TRANSPORT LOGISTICS AND NATURAL RESOURCE USE: BALANCING EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Transport logistics plays a crucial role in the modern economy, ensuring the efficient movement of goods and resources at both national and global levels. At the same time, the development of the transport sector is accompanied by an increasing environmental impact, highlighting the need for sustainable resource management and balancing economic efficiency with sustainable development. Between 2020 and 2025, transport volumes rebounded following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a rise in CO₂ emissions from 7.5 billion tons in 2021 to 7.9 billion tons in 2025. Road transport has the greatest impact, accounting for over 74% of total transport emissions, while maritime and aviation transport show steady growth, and rail remains the most environmentally efficient mode. Transport continues to consume a significant share of global energy, mainly from fossil fuels, and heavily relies on material and land resources. A positive development is the electrification of transport: in 2022, over 10 million electric vehicles were sold, contributing to emission reduction and improved energy efficiency. Key strategies for 2030–2050 include the adoption of electric and hydrogen technologies, multimodal logistics, digitalization, and route optimization, which help mitigate the environmental impact of transport logistics and achieve climate neutrality. Integrating innovative technologies and green logistics principles is therefore essential for sustainable sectoral development and the harmonization of economic activity with the natural environment.