Differentiated macroeconomic drivers of sustainable logistics: evidence from selected advanced and transition economies in the European Union

Sustainable development in logistics involves integrating economic, social, and environmental goals within transport and storage. In practice, it means reducing greenhouse gas emissions through eco-friendly fleets and green storage solutions. In the context of the EU Green Deal and the "Fit for 55" package, analyzing macroeconomic factors influencing sustainable logistics (SDLog) is crucial. This study compares six EU countries between 2008–2023: three developed (France, Germany, the Netherlands) and three transition economies (Czech Republic, Poland, Romania). A synthetic SDLog index was built from 18 variables covering environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The analysis followed two stages: OLS regression for each country and fixed-effect panel models for the two groups. Results show GDP has a universally positive effect on sustainable logistics. In developed economies, inflation and growth dynamics also matter, while in transition economies, wages and trade balance are more significant. The findings underline the importance of tailoring public policies and logistics strategies to country-specific macroeconomic conditions. Future research should expand the analysis to include institutional and technological factors, as well as apply dynamic models to capture long-term development paths.