The Alliance for European Logistics (AEL) is pleased to submit its response to the European Commission Public Consultation on the Future EU 2020 Strategy.
The AEL warmly welcomes certain areas for action that have been identified by the European Commission in its Future EU 2020 Strategy, in particular the need to create a competitive, connected and greener economy. In addition, the AEL wishes to emphasise the following key points with regards to the logistics sector and its role in the future of the EU economy:
Logistics is the backbone of European industry, making fundamental contributions to the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of European business. The logistics sector itself was the biggest industry sector in the EU in 2008 in terms of revenue; generating €950 billion (cf. 'The Top 100 of Logistics 2008/2009' by Klaus and Kille, ed. DVV Media Group).
It is crucial for political, regulatory and legislative stakeholders to see logistics not only in the limited sense of goods transport and warehousing, but also in the wider context of the complex macro-economic role it plays in helping deliver a competitive European industrial base. In just a few years, the next generation of the Internet will lead to completely new business models and industrial processes. The IT systems of logistics companies will be fully integrated with those of their customers to increase visibility and efficiency of the supply chain. Logistics companies will also be able to provide all or part of more complex production, delivery and service processes. In this regard the potential for logistics to aid the recovery and greening of the EU's broader economy has yet to be fully appreciated.
As logistics evolves in an increasingly globalised and complex world, Europe's industrial and political leaders must find the right vision for its future; a vision that recognises the crucial role that it can play in meeting Europe's wider policy goals.
A new and integrated approach to EU policy-making is therefore required to fully take advantage of the logistics sector. This should include a clear analysis of the potential cost reduction benefits that logistics can deliver to the EU economy. Furthermore, the completion of the EU internal market for transport constitutes a crucial step in allowing logistics to fulfil this potential.
At the same time, logistics providers are in a position to reduce their own carbon footprint, and that of their broader industry customers. This can be achieved by optimising supply chains and the energy balance of all logistics activities as well as restructuring corporate processes with the aid of the numerous ICT tools now available for logistics.
Annex: AEL Response to the European Commission Public Consultation on the Future EU 2020 strategy
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Carsten Hess
Chair, AEL Executive Committee
+32 (0) 2 775 02 20
contact@logistics-alliance.eu
www.logistics-alliance.eu
