CLIMATE aCTION
We have identified climate protection as a key priority for us and are constantly working to systematically track and reduce our emissions.
Our climate strategy follows the principle: Analyse – Plan – Reduce – Finance – Communicate. This means that we first analyse our emissions transparently and work consistently to reduce all avoidable emissions within our operations and throughout the value chain.
In addition, we support certified climate protection projects through CO₂ certificates. We view this project funding as part of a comprehensive climate strategy and as an additional contribution to climate protection – always in conjunction with the reduction of our own emissions.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
Our environmental actions are based on transparent and robust accounting of our emissions. That is why we have our corporate carbon footprint (CCF) audited annually in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14064-1:2019, as well as our shipment-related transport carbon footprint (TCF) in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14083:2024.
To ensure a consistent calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from a transport service, both direct and indirect emissions are taken into account. As a transport company, we naturally also include the indirect emissions of our transport service providers (Scope 3) in the calculation of our carbon footprints.
The majority of our greenhouse gas emissions arise in Scope 3 and are approximately 99.8% transport-related. Accounting for these emissions forms the basis for us to develop and implement targeted reduction measures along our transport chains.
In the administrative sector, most emissions are caused by employees’ commutes. The proportion of car use is falling steadily, as our employees increasingly travel to work by public transport and on the bicycles we provide. Business travel is undertaken by train wherever possible, and otherwise by (electric) car. We try to avoid air travel entirely.
CO2 REDUCTION
We are constantly working to reduce climate-related emissions and use resources more efficiently. This is underpinned by our environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001:2015, which systematically guides and further develops our initiatives.
In the transport sector, we reduce emissions through measures such as the use of the latest generation of lorries and IT-supported route planning. Optimised shipment consolidation and route planning improves vehicle utilisation, reduces empty mileage and helps to lower fuel consumption across our transport chains. In addition, we promote particularly energy-efficient driving through driver training. We are also continuously exploring the use of alternative fuels such as HVO and electric drives for our lorry transport operations.
We also rely on resource-saving solutions in our own operational processes. At our site, we generate our own electricity whilst simultaneously driving forward the digitalisation of our processes to work as paperlessly as possible.
Furthermore, we promote greater awareness of environmentally responsible behaviour among our stakeholders. In addition to complying with statutory environmental requirements, we actively promote the responsible use of resources and also support our employees in making climate-friendly choices. This includes, amongst other things, (e-)bike leasing, covering the cost of public transport for commuting, and free charging of electric vehicles using solar power at our sites.
CLIMATE PROTECTION CONTRIBUTION
In addition to reducing our own emissions, we are working alongside a number of customers on additional climate protection measures as part of our 50/50 climate initiative. This is based on the calculation of transport-related emissions. On this basis, we support certified climate protection projects that contribute to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of this initiative, we support the Gold Standard project ‘Uganda: Energy-Efficient Stoves’ by First Climate, a pioneer in emissions trading. By distributing efficient stoves to households in Uganda, the project reduces wood consumption and deforestation, lowers harmful smoke pollution and achieves fuel savings of around 35% to 50%. In addition to an annual reduction in emissions of around 750,000 tonnes of CO₂, the project – like all First Climate projects – generates additional social and environmental benefits for the local population and the environment.
Furthermore, we calculate our corporate carbon footprint annually and use this as a basis for supporting further climate protection projects.