Sandra Marsaud: “Logistics is a geographical issue”

Sandra Marsaud : This information mission was initiated by member of parliament Charles Fournier (Indre-et-Loire) to assess the economic repercussions, social impacts, and environmental and ecological footprint of large warehouses. We heard from many stakeholders : logistics operators, commerce and retail companies, logistics real estate professionals, institutional and nonprofit representatives, academics, and more. What was as difficult as it was interesting was seeing that logistics is a highly political issue and that the responses need to be geographical. Saying “ logistics ” is like saying “ housing .” There is a great diversity of stakeholders, models, and needs that vary enormously from one region to another.

Sandra Marsaud : Studying logistics reveals deeper changes in the economy and society. We can see that companies are completely reorganizing their distribution chains to meet consumer demand. In Seine-et-Marne, we visited a Conforama warehouse in Tournan-en-Brie that stores orders from suppliers as well as orders placed in stores by customers before they are delivered to them. The increasingly widespread “ phygital ” model, encouraged by programs such as Action Cœur de Ville, is rather positive for keeping city centers vibrant. There is scope to revitalize certain areas through the establishment of new activities. We also identified opportunities to reclaim certain already developed sites without taking up land in natural and agricultural areas. There is still too strong a sense of competition between the need for space for housing—and often housing developments—and other types of construction, particularly industrial and logistics facilities.

Sandra Marsaud : One of the first solutions, already adopted by stakeholders such as Amazon and Prologis, whom we interviewed during the mission, is to build on existing, already developed land. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to reconcile the development of new warehouses with the goal of zero net land take. These new warehouses are better insulated, and therefore less energy-intensive, and produce their own energy thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels on their roofs. But the warehouse cannot do everything. Decarbonizing logistics also involves transportation. Connecting new warehouses to rail stations is one option, but it is no secret that rail freight is not sufficiently developed because road transport has benefited from public-policy support. I am not going to criticize truck drivers: my grandfather and father were both truck drivers. Accelerating connections to rail freight would be highly effective. That requires planning and greater consultation among stakeholders.

Sandra Marsaud : There are regions with high population density, and therefore a need for logistics facilities; this is the case in major metropolitan areas. There are also regions that are highly accessible and where land has been made available more easily, such as the Centre-Val de Loire region or the Somme department, for example. As a result, these areas attract many stakeholders looking to build warehouses. Planning should make it possible to better assess the needs of each area and its capacity to accommodate new developments.

Recent legislative changes (*) introduced the regional scheme for planning, sustainable development, and territorial equality, including a logistics component, and strengthened the role of SCoTs, which must now incorporate a logistics scheme. Local authorities therefore have a crucial role to play in accommodating logistics functions, but also in overseeing their development. The problem is that there are too many difficulties in assessing the land area needed for the various types of economic activity, whether for industry, logistics, crafts, and so on. Economic stakeholders and industry associations must take the step of engaging more with local elected officials.

Sandra Marsaud : I believe it will not necessarily be legislative proposals that accelerate the rollout of solar power at warehouses, but rather voluntary commitments by logistics stakeholders, such as the commitments set out in the Charter signed between the State and Afilog, for several reasons. First, rising energy costs are pushing companies to seek solutions and invest in controlling their expenses. Next, logistics stakeholders are seeking to transform their image, which involves a better carbon footprint and a contribution to the national effort to produce energy. Finally, all the tools already exist and continue to develop, for example through the call for municipalities to identify renewable energy acceleration zones.

Sandra Marsaud : As members of parliament, we must listen to those who make things happen, particularly economic operators. I encourage them to engage even more with local elected officials and to organize an increasing number of events for the public. They must make themselves known in order to be better understood. I would like to see more consultation and knowledge sharing. In my view, not everything can be achieved through laws. We have had enough of legislation that is not implemented. More than forty years of decentralization must count for something : decisions must be made locally because, once again, logistics is a geographical issue.