CSR For Logistics Companies

This is the kind of research we need more of: Dutch Railways (NS) delivers 11x more value to society than it costs, yet we still call it a ‘loss-maker’. Some key facts before I go into this: ▶ NS lost €141 million financially in 2024 ▶ But created €1.33 billion in societal value ▶ NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) is the national railway company of the Netherlands — and it’s 100% government-owned ▶ Its trains run entirely on renewable wind energy ▶ The government still spends €37.5 billion per year subsidising fossil fuels ▶ Dutch roads are more congested than ever Now, new research by Professor Dirk Schoenmaker (Erasmus University) and Wander Marijnissen (ftrprf) reveals something remarkable: In 2024, NS recorded a financial loss of €141 million — but generated €1.33 billion in social value. 🏛 Financial loss ≠ societal failure The study shows that NS creates massive value through social inclusion, accessibility, property value growth, employee welfare, and low-carbon transport, while also accounting for negatives like delays and noise pollution. Their conclusion: the social return of NS is 11.3 times higher than its financial performance (!). When governments or media reduce this to a “loss,” they’re looking at the simplest of financial calculations, only considering the direct financial value generated from operating the train network. They ignore what really matters: how public transport gives people economic and social access to different parts of the country, reduces inequality, and lowers emissions. 🚉 Public transport is a public investment Chronic underfunding leads to higher fares, worse service, and declining accessibility. We can’t keep calling something a cost when it never should have been a capitalistic profit driver in the first place. 🌍 The bigger picture The same researchers found that car traffic costs society twice as much per kilometre as train delays, yet policy and pricing still favour cars. Meanwhile, NS trains already run on 100% wind power, offering a blueprint for climate-friendly transport systems worldwide. This type of research is really good at highlighting that the financial lens often overlooks the real benefits to society. Looking forward to reading more papers like this.

We design cities for cars. Then we prescribe exercise for chronic disease. What if we designed cities that made movement the easy choice? Nature-based solutions make walking and cycling more attractive, not through willpower, but through comfort. → Shaded sidewalks and green walkways make walking comfortable → Green cycle lanes and trails make cycling attractive → Green corridors and links connect destinations → Pedestrian buffers and rest stops improve safety and comfort Shade matters. A tree-lined street is 5-10°C cooler than an exposed one. That's the difference between walking and driving. I created this visual to connect NBS with active transport planning. Part of a series on goal-oriented NBS. For those working on walkability or cycling infrastructure — how are you integrating green elements? World Health Organization European Environment Agency American Planning Association United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) C40 Cities ICLEI WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities ITDP México The World Bank Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

Thermocol stays in the environment for 500 years. This disappears in 60 days. Every winter, we watch our cities get swallowed by smog. Every year, the conversation turns to stubble burning. And every time, farmers are blamed - without ever being offered a better option. At the same time, we’re shipping products across the country in packaging that pollutes for centuries. Styrofoam and thermocol are cheap, yes. But they’re toxic, non-recyclable, and take 500+ years to break down. Now here’s the twist. What if the solution to both problems was the same? I recently sat down with the team at Dharaksha Ecosolutions, and I left the conversation genuinely inspired. They’re doing what most people may only talk about: turning pollution into possibility. Dharaksha collects crop residue that would otherwise be burned and turns it into biodegradable, compostable packaging. Looks like thermocol. Functions like thermocol. But decomposes in 60 days. Merging innovation with impact 💡 ✅ Farmers get paid for waste that would’ve been burned ✅ Businesses finally have a real, scalable alternative to thermocol ✅ And the planet gets a break from plastic packaging and particulate pollution  Circular, thoughtful, low-carbon, and local. Changing the system from inside. Because the future isn’t plastic. It’s plantbased, purpose-driven, and powered by ideas like these. What’s one form of ‘waste’ you’ve seen reimagined like this? #packaging #recycle #biodegradable #innovation #plantbased #sustainability

Nature's Inspiration, Tomorrow's Innovation. Just take a stroll down any supermarket aisle or glance into your shopping trolley—you'll likely see a sea of packaging, a lot of which is unrecyclable and likely to end up in landfill. Even packs that are recyclable are non-optimal and use too many materials or components But there's hope on the horizon, as creative designers like Margarita Talep are finding solutions. She has pioneered an ingenious solution—an alternative to traditional plastic packaging derived from algae. Her project began with a simple question—how can we produce packaging that holds up well in use but breaks down quickly after its purpose is served? The answer lies in Agar, a gel-like substance from seaweed. Chances are, you're familiar with Agar as a food thickener. The process involves heating it to make a polymer, then adding water to make it flexible. The material comprises solely natural elements, right down to the dyes used to colour it—a rainbow of hues are extracted from the skins of fruits and vegetable such as blueberries, purple cabbage, beetroot, and carrot. The manufacturing process is quite simple. The mixture is heated and cooled with care until it transforms into a flexible gel. This gel can then be rolled into thin plastic sheets or poured into moulds, adapting to various shapes and packaging styles, like forming trays for donuts or creating bags for pasta. It's designed to naturally break down. During warmer months, it disappears in two to three months, with the timeframe influenced by thickness. Even in colder months, the breakdown continues, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Margarita Talep holds a strong conviction that bio-fabrication will not merely shape future industries but play a pivotal role in them. She stresses the importance of of environmentally conscious processes when extracting raw materials and during production. Yet, her vision transcends material creation—it demands seamless alignment with broader actions. Countries around the world are encouraged to take proactive steps by adopting plans to reduce packaging waste. Embracing circular economy initiatives is key, as they ensure plastic stays in a continuous cycle rather than contributing to landfills or polluting our oceans. As we strive to make better decisions for our planet, innovations like this algae-based packaging show that there are creative solutions to modern problems. Can nature's cues lead us to a sustainable path forward? #packaging #sustainablepackaging #sustainability #innovation #creative 📷Margarita Talep

Eliminating plastic waste in food packaging at a fraction of production cost? The food industry is a significant contributor to plastic waste, with packaging accounting for approximately 40.5% of all plastic produced in Europe. In the UK alone, supermarkets generate around 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic waste annually, equating to over 1,000 pieces per household. This excessive plastic use not only leads to environmental pollution but also poses health risks, as microplastics have been found in various food products, potentially causing inflammation and other health issues. Transitioning to seaweed-based packaging offers several cost-saving benefits for the food industry: →Reduced Raw Material Costs: Seaweed is renewable and doesn’t need land, fertilisers, or fresh water, cutting production expenses. Example: Seaweed farming can yield up to 10 tons of dry mass per hectare annually. →Lower Waste Management Expenses: Biodegradable and compostable, seaweed packaging reduces disposal costs. Example: The UK spends around £700 million annually on plastic waste disposal. →Decreased Environmental Compliance Costs: Eco-friendly packaging helps meet regulations, avoiding fines. Example: The EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive drives sustainable packaging adoption. →Enhanced Brand Value and Consumer Appeal: Sustainable packaging boosts reputation and sales. Example: 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options. →Potential for Government Incentives: Sustainable practices can earn grants or tax breaks. Example: The UK Plastic Packaging Tax incentivises biodegradable alternatives like seaweed. Example project is Citizens of Soil | B Corp that has introduced single-serve pipettes for their Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, utilising Notpla's seaweed-based materials that are 100% natural, biodegradable, home-compostable, vegan, and even edible. This innovative packaging aligns with their commitment to sustainability, offering consumers a convenient and eco-friendly way to enjoy premium olive oil. By adopting Notpla's solution, Citizens of Soil aims to reduce their environmental footprint and address plastic pollution in the food industry. Good to the economy and the planet. #oliveoil #food #sustainability #decarbonisation #waste #wastemanagement

I love to travel. 🗺️📍But I'm eager to be more sustainable when I hit the road, skies, or rails. We're updating features in Google Maps and Search to help people like me discover eco-friendly travel methods that are still just as convenient. 👇 🚶⏱️ In Maps, we're testing a feature that shows public transport or walking suggestions instead of driving, but only if travel times are comparable and practical. Coming soon to 15 cities, including London! 🇬🇧 🚄 🌳 In Search, we'll soon launch a "Consider Taking the Train" nudge when someone browses for Flights, helping them discover less obvious train routes that are greener alternatives to flying. 💡 ✈️ When flying is the only practical way to travel, understanding its environmental impact can make a big difference. With Google Flights, you can now see estimated emissions for most flights and filter by lower-emitting options, empowering you to make sustainable choices. To discover more about how we're helping people find more sustainable ways to travel and commute, read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eAvVwpqn  #GoogleMaps #GoogleSearch #TechforGood

When trains falter, nations stumble. Singapore’s MRT reliability has just fallen to its lowest level since 2020, a sobering reminder that infrastructure is not a backdrop to economic success—it is the stage itself. In a city where public transport is the spine of daily life and the foundation of its car-lite future, every disruption reverberates far beyond the station platform. Reliability here is not a technical metric; it is a test of whether the system can still carry the weight of Singapore’s social and economic ambitions. Infrastructure is never merely about steel, concrete, or signalling systems. It is about the social contract between government and citizen, the assurance that one can plan life around dependable institutions. The MRT has long been a symbol of Singapore’s promise: punctuality, efficiency, and modernity in motion. When that system stumbles, it unsettles not only journeys but also faith in the broader vision of sustainable mobility. Conversely, the recent LRT improvements show that targeted upgrades, coupled with disciplined management, can restore trust and performance—an encouraging reminder that even complex systems can be nudged back on track. The implications extend beyond transport. A reliable MRT enables high-density living, reduces carbon emissions, and ensures equitable access to jobs and opportunities. Without it, the city’s sustainability agenda falters. The car-lite strategy is not a lifestyle choice but an existential necessity in a land-scarce island city-state. Allowing reliability to slip risks setting back climate commitments, worsening congestion, and inflating household costs as people hedge with private transport. In this light, rail reliability is not simply a commuter gripe but a national economic and environmental priority. The path forward requires more than maintenance budgets and engineering fixes. It calls for a renewed ethos of stewardship: predictive maintenance driven by data, sharper accountability between regulator and operators, and clearer communication with commuters. Singapore has built its global reputation on making systems work where others falter. Restoring MRT reliability is therefore not just about avoiding delays; it is about reaffirming a social compact—that the city’s infrastructure will remain a trusted enabler of collective progress. [summary of the article below provided by the Straits Times] "Singapore's MRT reliability declined to near-2020 levels with 1.6 million train-km between delays, falling short of the 1.98 million in 2024. North East Line (NEL) and Circle improved, but Downtown, East-West and North South lines fared worse, impacting overall reliability figures.- LRT lines showed improved performance, while two delays lasting over 30 minutes occurred on the Circle and Downtown Lines in 2025." https://lnkd.in/gErt64yV

Accountability on Roads: A Much-Needed Step Across India The recent decision by the Kerala High Court has sparked a crucial national conversation by clearly stating that toll collection cannot be justified when highways are not properly maintained. This ruling goes beyond a single state and highlights a principle that resonates across the country-public payment must be matched by public service. Every day, citizens pay tolls with the expectation of safe, smooth, and efficient roads. When highways are riddled with potholes, poor drainage, broken surfaces, and unsafe conditions, toll collection becomes an unfair burden rather than a legitimate charge. Such negligence does not merely inconvenience commuters; it endangers lives, damages vehicles, and disrupts economic activity. The ruling brings attention to the need for stronger accountability among contractors, concessionaires, and supervising authorities. Infrastructure projects cannot succeed without clear responsibility and strict consequences for failure. Suspending toll collection until roads meet safety and quality standards sends a powerful message that negligence will no longer be tolerated. This approach should evolve into a nationwide policy. Engineers and contractors entrusted with public infrastructure must be answerable for lapses, as every pothole represents a potential tragedy. Accountability in road construction is not optional-it is essential. Ultimately, this is about restoring public trust. When citizens contribute through tolls, they deserve roads that prioritize safety and efficiency. India must now set a higher benchmark for infrastructure governance, ensuring that development is measured not just by revenue, but by reliability and responsibility. #InfrastructureAccountability #RoadSafety #HighwayReforms #PublicInterest #GoodGovernance

They built a paper company. With no trees, just leaves. Most people see fallen leaves as waste. One Ukrainian startup saw them as raw material. 📍 Releaf Paper launched the world’s first facility that makes packaging from fallen leaves — not trees. And they’re doing it in France. Let that sink in. → Zero deforestation → 55-day biodegradation → 0.002L water used per kg → 70% lower CO₂ than traditional paper They’re not pitching climate slogans. They’re engineering a circular alternative to one of the most polluting industries in the world. They’ve even partnered with Uber Eats in Paris — replacing plastic food containers with compostable, leaf-based trays. The takeaway? 🌍 The future of sustainable packaging isn’t just about better recycling. It’s about rethinking the input altogether. No trees. No pulp mills. Just fallen leaves — and serious engineering. What do you think of this innovation? Leave a comment.

A 7-year-old child lost her life in a way that should never be possible in any functioning system. A moving school bus. A rusted, weakened metal floor. A preventable failure. The section of the bus floor—already compromised—gave way mid-journey. A child fell through it onto the road and was crushed before the vehicle could stop. Other children watched it happen. This is not an “accident.” This is layered negligence. Where was the vehicle fitness check? Who approved this bus for transporting children? How many warning signs were ignored before failure became fatal? We often talk about “infrastructure gaps” and “system challenges,” but this is far more basic—this is about accountability in something as fundamental as a school transport system. A school bus is not just a vehicle. It is a daily trust contract between parents, institutions, and authorities. When that trust is broken at this level, it exposes a systemic collapse—not a one-off mistake. Compliance on paper is meaningless if safety on the ground is compromised. This incident demands more than outrage. It demands: * Mandatory structural audits of all school buses * Real-time enforcement, not periodic paperwork * Personal accountability for approvals and inspections Because if a bus floor can collapse while carrying children, the system has already failed long before that moment. #ChildSafety #Negligence #SchoolTransport #PublicSafety #Accountability #India #UttarPradesh #SystemFailure #RoadSafety