From warehouses to Net-Zero logistics facilities: A simulation-based roadmap to achieve carbon reduction and energy efficiency

Logistics facilities have been traditionally recognised as key nodes within industrial systems. In recent years their role and features have evolved significantly due to various market trends – such as e-commerce boost and increased demand for customization – as well as major disruptions and growing service level requirements. This rise in complexity has led to higher energy demand and increased contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, thus raising the attention of both policymakers and stakeholders on sustainable warehousing concerns. Within this challenging landscape, the concept of Net-Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs) has gained significant attention. A nZEB is characterized by energy generation that meets or exceeds the energy demands of the building. Achieving nZEB requires practitioners to integrate sustainability considerations into their business strategies and the literature still lacks in offering a structured and replicable approach to help practitioners develop their own Net-Zero strategies. The objective of this research is to fill this gap by offering a simulation-based roadmap aimed at facilitating the transition of conventional logistics facilities toward nZEBs. The proposed roadmap is designed to enhance the decision-making process regarding the selection of strategies for achieving Net-Zero objectives, thereby potentially yielding cost savings and improved environmental performance. The study includes an industrial application to test and validate the effectiveness of the roadmap. This application provides valuable empirical data that enable practitioners to make informed, data-driven decisions in the development of their Net-Zero strategies.