Green Logistics as a Sustainable Development Concept of Logistics Systems in a Circular Economy

The article presents the results of expert surveys and the opinions of scientists about the need for a “green” transformation of logistics systems in the world. A statistical analysis of the development of logistics systems was carried out, taking into account the environmental component. The article identifies the barriers hindering the development of logistics systems from the point of view of greening. The evolution and preconditions of formation, challenges and factors of development of the circular economy are studied. The existing scientific approaches to the definition of the concept of “circular economy” are systematized. The theoretical approaches of different scientific schools to the definition of the concept of “green logistics” are analyzed and generalized. The author’s formulation of the term “green logistics” is proposed as an instrument of the circular economy; component of corporate social responsibility of business; type of economic activity aimed at reducing the negative impact on the ecosystem and the environment. It has been established that for the effective implementation of the concept of green logistics, it is advisable to develop an organizational and economic mechanism, which is considered as a set of principles, tools, functions, methods and means aimed at reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of organizing logistics activities and various logistics services (transport, warehouse, marketing, etc.). A structural diagram of the formation of an organizational and economic mechanism for the implementation of the concept of green logistics is proposed. The key principles of green logistics are the use of an integrated approach to managing logistics flows; rational use of resources (production, financial, energy, information); minimal use of raw materials and packaging that are not recyclable; economically sound and environmentally friendly transportation and storage of material resources; maximum use of production waste, containers and packaging as secondary raw materials or their environmentally friendly disposal; optimization of costs for organizing logistics activities; minimization of risks in the operation of transport and logistics systems; increasing the level of environmental education and personnel responsibility; introduction of innovative technologies to reduce the environmental burden on the environment; application of information systems and digital technologies in the field of environmental protection.