Bologna has introduced an Urban Logistics Charter to promote fair working conditions, environmental sustainability and responsible business practices in the rapidly growing delivery sector. Developed through a broad coalition of local stakeholders, the Charter establishes a shared ethical framework based on voluntary commitments from public authorities, trade unions, private companies, and civil society. By addressing labour rights, reducing emissions, and fostering more sustainable last-mile delivery models, the initiative helps tackle social and environmental inequalities while improving urban liveability. Through pilot projects and integration into key mobility and climate strategies, the Charter contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable urban economy.
Metropolitan Charter for ethical logistics in Bologna
Abstract
The Metropolitan Charter for Ethical Logistics aims to promote fair, sustainable and transparent practices in the urban logistics sector in Bologna, so that economic prosperity does not come at the expense of workers’ rights or environmental quality. By establishing a shared ethical framework, the Charter seeks to improve working conditions, reduce environmental impacts such as congestion and air pollution, and enhance urban liveability. It promotes best practices in the labour and environmental sectors among logistics operators while fostering collaboration between public authorities, trade unions, private companies and civil society. The objectives are closely aligned with Bologna’s broader strategies on sustainable mobility, climate action and social inclusion, embedding equity considerations into the transition towards greener urban logistics systems.
Bologna’s Metropolitan Charter for Ethical Logistics Summary
Country: Italy
City: Bologna
EU member state: Yes
Geographic scale: City
City size: Midsize (786 000 residents)
Date launched: 2022
Current status: Ongoing
Policy pillar(s): Labour markets
Target group(s): Logistics workers
Funding and budget:
Total budget: Not applicable
Funding sources: Not applicable
EU funds/programmes: Not applicable
Bologna identified urban logistics as a growing source of social, environmental and economic inequality, particularly in the context of rapidly expanding e-commerce. Evidence of precarious working conditions, informal labour practices and increasing congestion and pollution highlighted the need for a more balanced and inclusive approach to last-mile delivery. The COVID-19 crisis further exposed and intensified these challenges, reinforcing the urgency of coordinated action.
The Charter prioritises environmental sustainability, social justice, and quality labour conditions in its urban logistics framework. It addresses growing inequalities linked to last-mile delivery, including precarious working conditions, informality and unsustainable business models, which have been further exacerbated by the rapid expansion of e-commerce. This approach positions fair working conditions and environmental sustainability as mutually reinforcing priorities within the city’s broader development strategy.
The Charter was co-designed through an inclusive process involving municipalities, logistics companies, trade unions, cooperatives and civil society organisations. Rather than relying solely on regulatory approaches, the Charter emphasises voluntary commitments and collective responsibility so that stakeholders from all sectors are committing to these principles. It establishes a set of common principles and commitments to guide more responsible logistics practices, supported by strong political leadership and facilitation from the metropolitan authority. By mobilising a wide range of actors, the initiative creates a platform for dialogue, coordination and shared accountability across the sector.
With more than 50 stakeholders composed of trade unions, private logistics operators, and civil society organisations voluntarily committing to its principles, the Charter aims to advance concrete actions to improve labour conditions, reduce subcontracting risks, enhance safety and training for logistics workers, support greater integration into the workforce and the community, and promote low-emission and innovative logistics. The initiative has supported pilot projects such as low-emission delivery systems, the use of cargo bikes for last-mile logistics and the promotion of ethical supply chains. In parallel, the Charter’s principles have been integrated into key policy frameworks, including Bologna’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and metropolitan strategies on climate and labour inclusion, so that commitments translate into concrete actions.
The Charter functions as a living document, evolving through continuous dialogue, feedback and the addition of new commitments from signatories. Ongoing engagement helps maintain momentum, strengthen accountability and adapt the framework to emerging challenges in the logistics sector. The initiative has increased awareness of the social dimension of urban logistics and demonstrated strong replication potential, with other cities showing interest in adopting similar approaches, supporting broader systemic change towards fairer and more sustainable urban economies.
Voluntary frameworks can mobilise diverse stakeholders and increase buy-in. Co-designed initiatives that bring together public authorities, businesses, trade unions and civil society around shared principles, can foster collective ownership and enable action even in complex sectors where regulation alone may be insufficient.
Address social and environmental goals together. Labour rights and sustainability objectives can be addressed in tandem by engaging stakeholders from across the public and private ecosystem to identify mutually beneficial priorities. For example, integrating fair working conditions with low-emission logistics solutions helps tackle inequalities while improving urban liveability and advancing climate targets.
The metropolitan charter for ethical logistics presented (IT: Presentata la Carta metropolitana per la logistica etica): https://www.cittametropolitana.bo.it/portale/Progetti/Logistica_etica
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Photo credits: Margherita Caprilli
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