On 26 September 2024, Tamara Kirkwood-Wright and Ketki Kulkarni from the ReMuNet team presented at the “SDG-week seminar: Resilience and sustainability through multimodality on freight transport” hosted by Hanken School of Economics. The presentation was related to the sustainability goals of the ReMuNet and its broader impact on multimodal transport networks, particularly in dynamic and conflict-prone environments.
ReMuNet aims to build more resilient and efficient transport corridors across European rail, road, and inland waterways. By leveraging multimodal options, the project seeks to reduce emissions, optimise network usage, and strengthen the response to disruptions. The initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), focusing on disaster risk reduction and sustainable transport.
The presentation highlighted the challenges posed by armed conflicts on transport networks, drawing insights from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The speakers discussed the severe impacts, including infrastructure destruction, regulatory breakdowns, and increased costs due to rerouted shipments. Despite the complexities of transporting goods in such environments, ReMuNet’s approach aims to incorporate resilience and sustainability even under dynamic and adverse conditions.
Case studies and humanitarian focus
Tamara Kirkwood-Wright and Ketki Kulkarni also presented ReMuNet’s work that extends to humanitarian supply chains, where sustainability is often compromised due to urgent needs in conflict zones. By collaborating with partners like the Danish Red Cross, the project is developing frameworks for evaluating transport alternatives that balance resilience and sustainability. Historical examples such as the Cold War and the Balkan Wars illustrated the broader implications of conflict on European transport networks and the necessity for adaptive, robust solutions.
With this effort, ReMuNet sets a precedent for integrating sustainable practices into logistics planning, even in regions experiencing conflict, thus contributing to more inclusive and resilient infrastructure across Europe.
Funded by the European Union under GA number 101104072. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.