Simulation, a support for sustainable logistical decision-making in complex supply chains

Across the European economic area (EEA), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from most sectors decreased between 1990 and 2004, with the transport sector being one major exception to this. In fact, GHG emissions from the transport sector increased by 23% between 1990 and 2003 for the EEA-32 countries. In Ireland, there has been a 160% increase in GHG emissions from the transport sector in the period 1990 to 2005. The objective of this paper is to highlight the current situation for freight transport by road, with a focus on Ireland and proposes a more general simulation-based tool to assist more environmental sustainable supply chain decision-making. The paper will focus on inefficiencies in modern supply chain design and show how using simulation can aid decision-makers in choosing more environmentally friendly solutions. A simulation tool to aid decision-makers to choose more sustainable options will be proposed, and preliminary results discussed.