Towards zero emission last mile distribution in omni-channel retail

Last mile logistics is an emerging research area with growing interest from scholars and practitioners, especially over the past five years. The rapid growth is mainly driven by increasing urbanization and population growth, e-commerce development, changing consumer behavior, innovation, and growing attention to sustainability. Many definitions of last mile logistics exist, yet a common view is that it concerns the last stretch of the supply chain from the last distribution center to the recipient's preferred destination point.
The last mile is often described as one of the most expensive, inefficient, and polluting parts of the supply chain. Therefore, a fast and efficient transition towards more sustainable last mile distribution is required. Little is known about the transition towards zero emission last mile distribution, therefore a more comprehensive understanding of this transition is required. The aim of this dissertation project is to contribute to enhanced understanding of the transition towards net-zero emission last mile distribution in omni-channel retail and its effects.