Can CONCOR’s new green logistics initiative with TERI transform India’s supply chain?

Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR), a leading multimodal logistics company, has entered a strategic partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at setting up a pioneering Centre of Excellence for Green and Sustainable Logistics. The collaboration, formally named the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence, seeks to drive significant advancements in sustainable logistics practices, aligning closely with India‘s environmental and economic sustainability goals.

The MoU, signed during the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, represents a major step forward in India’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of logistics operations. By combining CONCOR’s extensive logistical expertise with TERI’s sustainability research capabilities, the Centre aims to lead transformative change in green logistics management.

Why is CONCOR Investing in Green and Sustainable Logistics?

As the global logistics sector increasingly faces pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to reduce its environmental footprint, companies such as CONCOR have been proactively adopting greener practices. By establishing the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence, CONCOR demonstrates its commitment to enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, which is critical for attracting ESG-conscious investors and stakeholders.

CONCOR’s current ESG initiatives, including deploying liquefied natural gas (LNG)-based trailers for first-mile and last-mile connectivity, electric vehicle adoption within terminals, and constructing net-zero emission warehouses, already highlight the company’s robust sustainability agenda. The newly established centre aims to consolidate and accelerate these initiatives through targeted research, innovation, and policy development.

How Will the CONCOR-TERI Partnership Impact India’s National Logistics Policy?

One of the central aims of this partnership is to align closely with India’s National Logistics Policy, which intends to reduce the nation’s logistics cost significantly—from approximately 14% to 8% of GDP. By focusing on sustainable solutions for rail transportation, warehouse operations, terminal infrastructure, and freight management, the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence is positioned to play a pivotal role in achieving these ambitious targets.

According to industry experts, such centres are essential for developing sustainable logistics frameworks capable of reducing operational costs while simultaneously lowering carbon emissions. By optimising supply chain practices through innovative sustainability measures, CONCOR not only seeks to fulfil regulatory requirements but also aims to enhance efficiency and reduce long-term operational expenses.

What Specific Sustainability Initiatives Will the Centre Promote?

The CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence will spearhead detailed research initiatives to promote green logistics solutions explicitly tailored for Indian logistics scenarios. These research areas include the development of eco-friendly technologies for rail-based freight movement, advancement in terminal management practices, and the creation of green storage solutions. The centre will also devise tools such as the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) specifically designed for logistics infrastructure, enabling the certification and promotion of sustainable warehousing facilities across India.

Industry experts highlight the significance of such certification programmes, asserting that transparent rating systems can significantly influence both industry practices and investor decisions. Reliable green ratings enhance transparency, allowing businesses and investors to benchmark their sustainability performances effectively.

Can Green Logistics Initiatives Influence Investor Sentiment?

The CONCOR-TERI partnership comes at a time when ESG factors significantly influence investor decisions worldwide. Investment trends show increased allocations towards firms that demonstrate solid commitments to sustainability, carbon neutrality, and responsible governance practices. As such, the establishment of the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence not only reinforces CONCOR’s commitment to ESG principles but also potentially enhances its attractiveness to international and domestic ESG investors.

Financial analysts suggest that, over the medium-to-long term, companies proactively adopting sustainability practices like CONCOR tend to outperform their peers. Investor sentiment towards companies prioritising ESG initiatives remains largely positive, reflecting broader global financial trends where sustainability is increasingly viewed as a critical driver of long-term value creation.

What Does the Future Hold for Sustainable Logistics in India?

The launch of the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence could set a significant precedent for other logistics companies in India. This partnership demonstrates how effective collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions can drive substantial improvements in environmental performance, industry standards, and overall sustainability.

Experts in logistics and sustainability predict that similar centres of excellence will emerge as essential industry benchmarks, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and promoting innovative sustainability solutions across the country. Such initiatives are also crucial for India to achieve its international climate commitments, particularly in significantly reducing carbon emissions from transportation and logistics sectors.

Is CONCOR’s Strategic Sustainability Move Timely?

By partnering with TERI, CONCOR positions itself at the forefront of India’s evolving green logistics landscape. The creation of the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence illustrates a clear strategic move towards long-term sustainability goals and robust ESG performance. This initiative could indeed influence the broader Indian logistics sector, potentially accelerating the shift towards sustainable and responsible logistics practices nationwide.

With growing regulatory pressures and increasing consumer demands for sustainability, CONCOR’s partnership with TERI underscores the importance of strategic, proactive measures in building resilient and sustainable logistics systems. Thus, the Centre of Excellence for Green and Sustainable Logistics is likely to become an integral part of India’s journey towards a more sustainable, efficient, and economically viable logistics industry.