Sustainability and greener business practices have been discussed for years. But with frequent and costly natural disasters becoming the norm amid a changing climate, the shipping and logistics industry has started to step up and take bold steps. There have been regulations implemented by global shipping regulators such as the International Maritime Organization’s “IMO 2020” rule, requiring cleaner fuel and retrofitted emissions scrubbers installed on older vessels. By 2025, more bold action will likely have been announced.

Water shortages, such as the low water levels seen this year in the Panama Canal, and excessive drought throughout the western United States, are here to stay. Ports all over the world have been forced to suspend operations periodically due to climate-related events.

The private sector has stepped up over the past few years with initiatives to promote zero-carbon shipping by 2050 (and in some cases sooner). Shipping leaders such as Maersk have led the way, and new ships are being built with electricity and alternative fuel sources in mind. Still, it will be a while until logistics is completely green.