Maverick Musings #12

Each parcel delivered emits an approx.—283 grams of CO2.eq.

Transport sector emissions, primarily from vehicles, are a major source of global greenhouse gases. This sector's emissions are significant as they contribute to air pollution and climate change. The increasing demand for transportation, driven by population growth, urbanization, and economic development, exacerbates the emission levels, underlining the need for a sustainable and just transition in the transport sector.

Transport is projected to be the leading source of new greenhouse gas emissions until 2050. Within this sector, last-mile delivery, the final step in delivering goods to consumers, has gained prominence. It's characterized by frequent stops and starts in densely populated areas, making it disproportionately emission-intensive compared to other transport stages.

The World Economic Forum reports that in 2019, delivery vehicles in the top 100 cities globally emitted 19 million metric tonnes of CO2. With an expected 36% rise in delivery vehicles by 2030, cities are increasingly facing challenges such as higher greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and air pollution. Reducing emissions from last-mile deliveries is critical for cities to meet their decarbonization goals.

Last-mile deliveries, particularly significant in emissions, contributed to 19 million tonnes of CO2 in the world's largest cities in 2019. Without policy changes, this is expected to rise to 25 million tonnes by 2030, alongside a 36% increase in delivery vehicles. The success of emissions targets heavily depends on the delivery systems of retail and e-commerce. This growth has made the sector a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 50% of all delivery-related emissions.

India's e-commerce sector, doubling in size up to 2020, is anticipated to grow exponentially, with the last-mile delivery market projected to reach $165.6 billion by 2027. This growth, however, raises concerns about increasing emissions. India is addressing this by advancing in electric vehicle (EV) adoption for last-mile deliveries. Recognizing the environmental impact, Niti Aayog and various state governments are pushing policies for EV transition in commercial fleets, aiming to decrease oil dependence and reduce urban air pollution.

This edition will delve into skills needed in the sector, exciting opportunities for youth, essential facts about the industry, and details about an upcoming webinar. Stay tuned for insights that could shape your career in this ever-evolving field!

First stop, mastering Green skills

1. Data Analysis: Data analysis is a crucial skill for youth working in the transport sector. It involves examining vehicle data, emission trends, transport patterns, delivery trends, or electric charging station statistics. Mastering this skill enables one to understand and respond to evolving trends in sustainable transportation. To learn data analysis, consider courses in statistics, data science, and specialized transport analytics programs. Practical experience through internships or projects in transport companies can also be highly beneficial.

2. Climate Campaigning: Campaign skills are vital in promoting sustainable transport practices. By organizing behavior change campaigns, implementing awareness projects for EV owners, and educating the delivery sector, one can contribute significantly to environmental advocacy. These skills not only foster community engagement but also enhance employability in green jobs. To develop these competencies, participating in courses like our 'Skills for Climate Action Projects' can be immensely helpful. SUSTERA Foundation is hosting a course on skill for climate projects, you can register here: https://tinyurl.com/courseclimateskills
3. Policy analysis: Understanding policy in the transport sector is crucial. This skill involves interpreting and applying environmental and transport regulations, crucial for implementing sustainable solutions. Learning it requires studying relevant laws, policies, and their impact on transport systems. Educational courses in environmental policy or law, attending policy workshops, and engaging in sector-specific advocacy groups can be beneficial in acquiring this expertise.

Transport is a rapidly growing sector with immense relevance to climate change. For climate-conscious youth, understanding this sector and its associated skills like policy analysis, data interpretation, and campaign management is vital. As we strive for a sustainable future, knowledge in these areas can lead to impactful careers in green transportation and contribute significantly to climate action initiatives.

Also, checkout and apply for our course on Resume & CV Building for Green Jobs

Seizing opportunities

1. The Grand Challenges partnership network's call for proposals. Deadline: 31 January 2024. Offering $100k to $500k, this international initiative seeks innovative research tackling climate change's impact on health, women, and agriculture through transdisciplinary approaches. A chance to contribute meaningful solutions to urgent global issues.
2. The Climate Creatives Challenge 2024, focusing on 'Coastal Change,' is an exciting opportunity for creative minds to address the impacts of coastal changes like erosion, flooding, and rising sea levels. This challenge encourages innovative thinking and communication in climate-related issues, engaging participants globally to contribute towards understanding and mitigating these critical environmental concerns.
3. The Global Youth Conference 2024 presents an exciting opportunity for young professionals, academics, and civil society organizations to come together. Set in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, this event will focus on harnessing data and technology for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It's a perfect platform for emerging leaders to discuss innovations and best practices in addressing global challenges.

Eco headlines

1. COP28, as closed by UN Secretary-General, marked a significant event in climate action, bringing together various stakeholders. He quoted "COP28 occurred at a decisive moment in the fight against the climate crisis – a moment that demands maximum ambition both in the reduction of emissions and in the adaptation efforts to protect communities." This conference highlighted the collective efforts of professionals, governments, and civil society in tackling global sustainability challenges. Read more.
2. Here is a quick read by Amnesty International for you to know What happened at COP28."For decades campaigners called for a fund to provide effective remedies to communities affected by the unavoidable consequences of climate change or extreme weather so that they can rebuild their lives. Since COP27 finally agreed to create this Loss and Damage Fund, the last year has been spent negotiating over how it should be run and financed. COP28 has now largely settled the issue, but the finance pledged so far by a few countries is wholly insufficient to make it effective." Read More.
3. Here is another interesting read on comments by experts from 英国牛津大学 . Professor Nathalie Seddon?said, "Robust evidence from science and practice highlights the importance of protecting and restoring biodiversity for a habitable, cooler world. The Global Stocktake and Global Goal on Adaptation texts have recognised this, in the inclusion of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches for both mitigation and adaptation to climate change."Read more

A few insights from our CEO

Learning to cycle at the age of 44. Taking a lifelong commitment to teach more women to ride a bicycle. This is the short inspiring story of Zeenath, who is leading a #movement to promote green commuting in Kochi, Kerala.

Follow Sanju here.

From our archives to yours

1. Last week our team members were on a mission to collect relief materials for communities in North Chennai affected by #Cyclone #Michaung and associated floods. We raised approximately INR 10,000/- and collected relief materials worth approximately INR 25,000/- which are being sent to the communities from our Trivandrum office. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, Climate Leaders from Tamil Nadu and to our team for their extraordinary commitment beyond regular work hours. Agnus Mariya Antony Amjad Anwar Gokul Gopakumar Ashna M S Nihal and Roshini.
2. This Saturday, our team members presented the findings from our "Student Survey on Plastic Pollution" at the Kerala Legislative Assembly. This report was released in association with 联合国儿童基金会 . It will be available for access to all very soon.

And finally, we want to invite you to learn about the future of sustainable urban delivery. Join our 'Greening the Last Mile' webinar to explore the accelerated transition to EVs in India's delivery sector. You can learn more about the sector and engage with experts and discuss the way forward for eco-friendly transport solutions.

We have Siddharth Sreenivas Saudamini Zutshi Kumar Nitant Archit Fursule and ??Sanju Soman join you for the event.

The event is organized in collaboration with Climate Group Climate Trends Purpose and Asar

?? Dec 21 | ? 7 PM IST

Secure your spot ?? https://tinyurl.com/indiaevolve

As we bid farewell to an eventful year, we eagerly anticipate the innovative strides and maverick spirit that 2024 will bring. Wishing everyone a fantastic New 2024 filled with inspiration and groundbreaking achievements. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey towards a sustainable future. Together, let's continue to make a difference. See you all in 2024! ???? #ForwardTogether #SustainableFuture