Green logistics is becoming a vital strategy for businesses in the era of digital transformation and climate change. However, in Viet Nam, the application of advanced technologies to "greening" logistics still faces many obstacles. 

Why is it necessary to study green logistics 4.0?

In the context of climate change and global emission reduction commitments, the logistics industry – which plays a vital role in trade and supply chains – is becoming one of the largest sources of CO₂ emissions. The transportation system alone accounts for approximately 25% of global CO₂ emissions (Agyabeng-Mensah et al., 2020). In Viet Nam, the need to transition to a green logistics model is no longer a "voluntary" choice, but a mandatory requirement to maintain competitiveness, especially as major markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan are tightening regulations related to "carbon footprint" and green standards.

Not only large export corporations, but even domestic logistics businesses in Viet Nam, from warehousing and transportation to e-commerce, are facing pressure to "green" their operations if they don't want to be excluded from the global supply chain.

Simultaneously, the Industry 4.0 wave brings many opportunities for powerful transformation. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, smart sensors, and autonomous robots not only help businesses optimize operations but also support cost reduction, energy saving, and resource waste reduction.

However, in Viet Nam, there is still a significant gap in technological readiness, data infrastructure, labor skills, and support policies. Most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still struggle to invest in smart warehousing systems, electrified vehicles, or modern supply chain management platforms.

What did the research do?

This study uses a systematic literature review approach on 157 international articles from two of the largest and most reputable databases, WoS and Scopus, to comprehensively analyze how Industry 4.0 technologies are being applied in green logistics practices.

Specifically, the study identifies six groups of green logistics practices and how technology is integrated into each group:
* Green transportation : Application of electric vehicles, transportation management systems (TMS), and UAVs for monitoring journeys.
* Green warehousing : Integrating IoT, AI, AR, QR codes, and automated warehouse management systems (WMS).
* Green Shopping & Packaging : Big Data analytics, blockchain traceability, and monitoring sensors.
* Waste recovery and treatment : Sorting robots, closed-loop logistics systems, predictive waste flow algorithms.
* Green product design : Using environmentally friendly materials and optimizing reuse through digital technology .
* Decision support : Digital platforms integrate real-time supply chain data.
The unique aspect of this study is that it not only describes the technology but also provides a model for analyzing implementation barriers, categorized by relevant stakeholders.
* Within the company : Lack of digital skills, limited budget, lack of commitment from leadership, and a management culture that does not prioritize environmental factors.
* Outside the business : Unclear laws, lack of financial incentives, lack of cooperation in the supply chain, consumer apathy, high cybersecurity risks.

Furthermore, the study also revealed significant differences in the level of GL 4.0 adoption across industries:

The automotive and electronics industries tend to be pioneers due to their complex supply chains and ability to invest in high-tech technologies.

* The food, retail, and e-commerce sectors prioritize technologies for traceability, temperature monitoring, and smart inventory control.

Meanwhile, sectors such as agriculture , fisheries, and small-scale processing still rely on manual labor and face difficulties in digitalization.

What new findings does the research reveal?

* Green logistics 4.0 is no longer a question of "whether or not," but a long-term strategic problem requiring coordination between people, technology, and policy.
* The implementation of GL 4.0 needs to be industry-specific and cannot be done using a single formula.
* Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up the majority of Viet Nam's supply chain, need strong support in terms of finance, technology, and human resource training.
* The government and industry associations play a crucial role in creating a clear legal environment, implementing policies that encourage "greening," and ensuring that data and technology are shared in a secure and transparent manner.

Solutions from research

Based on the research results, the author has proposed the following solutions:

For businesses:

* Assess the level of technical readiness, human resources, and capital to develop a green logistics transformation roadmap suitable for each industry.
* Enhance internal training on Industry 4.0 technology and sustainable development thinking.
* Collaborate with technology providers to test green logistics solutions on a small scale before scaling up the entire system.

For the government and administrators:

* Develop a system of standards, preferential policies, and support programs for businesses in adopting green logistics (such as tax exemptions, green credit incentives, carbon certification, etc.).
* Invest in shared digital infrastructure to support the sharing of logistics operational data across regions and sectors.
For the community and consumers:
* Promote communication campaigns to raise awareness about green consumption and the choice of environmentally friendly logistics services.
* Encourage e-commerce platforms and delivery apps to develop green delivery models, using electric vehicles and biodegradable packaging.

Source: Vietnam.vn