Lean & Green – The Road to Emission-Free Logistics
Reducing harmful emissions in transport and logistics is not only a matter of technology, but also of vision, willingness to change, methodology and dedicated planning within logistics organisations. Yet the lack of unified standards for reporting and calculating carbon footprints often causes confusion and hesitation among logistics providers over whom to trust and which path to follow.
The Dutch Lean & Green initiative and programme
Created in 2008 by Nico Anten and Herman Wagter of Connekt, a non-profit public-private partnership organisation focused on smart logistics and sustainable transport, Lean & Green quickly became a benchmark for the conscious reduction of harmful emissions and environmental protection not only in the Netherlands but also in 15 other countries. The organisation established national partnerships and applies its Five Star methodology, which has become a leading European network for reducing emissions and achieving the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement and the EU. More than 500 organisations from Europe and the Americas participate in the network and exchange ideas and expertise on how to substantially reduce their carbon footprint and respond to the European Green Deal adopted by the European Commission.
The Lean & Green programme is described in detail in the Lean & Green Rule Book, available at www.lean-green.eu.
The irreversible transformation of the transport sector
The European Green Deal (EGD) has several major components, including promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and reducing transport emissions while supporting economic growth and social equality. It also sets specific targets. For example, by 2030 emissions should be reduced by at least 55% compared with 1990, as outlined in the Fit for 55 package, while the share of electricity generated from renewable sources in the EU should reach 40%.
A key objective is the complete transformation of the transport sector through low-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles, and the development of appropriate transport and charging infrastructure. From 2026 onwards, road transport will begin paying for harmful emissions, while after 2035 newly manufactured cars are expected to have zero harmful emissions. To support the transition, the European Commission introduced the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which applies mandatory standards and requirements to charging infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling stations for cars, ships and aircraft in the EU.
The European Commission is also expected to finalise the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, introducing mandatory reporting of carbon emissions in the EU and measures aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
The rise of sustainability ratings in the supply chain
EcoVadis was founded in Paris in 2007 with the mission of offering a reliable and globally recognised system for assessing the environmental performance of commercial organisations, providing a methodology to reduce pollution risks, improve environmental policies and procedures and strengthen positive impacts on the planet and communities. Today EcoVadis has more than 1,000 employees and over 100,000 certified companies across five continents, as well as more than 500,000 companies with Eco IQ. The company is one of the most authoritative assessors of the environmental impact of supply chains and operates a powerful technology platform supported by a large team of experts.
The EcoVadis Model for Scaling Positive Impact helps companies make sourcing and materials procurement more sustainable and improve their environmental and social impact when distributing finished products. An increasing number of multinational companies now require this type of certification from logistics providers in international and local tenders.
The ESG agenda (Environmental, Social, Governance)
ESG requirements are also becoming increasingly important for businesses and are extending to the fixed assets of logistics providers. Are offices, warehouses and vehicles environmentally responsible, healthy, energy-efficient and designed to minimise environmental impact? Do they support productive work and proper rest for employees? When will diesel trucks be replaced by electric vehicles, and how should their deployment be planned without disrupting operations or disappointing customers? How can the interests of all participants in the logistics chain be balanced? These are questions that continue to be explored and that will increasingly determine the success or failure of providers in the industry.