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A Strategic Advantage for Logistics Organizations
Sustainability is a driver for organizational growth and profitability. While this statement may have seemed contradictory in the past, it's now evident that businesses can thrive while creating positive social and environmental impacts. These goals aren't competing; a mission-driven approach to sustainability can enhance an organization's financial health, operational efficiency, consumer demand, and long-term viability.
Logistics organizations can lead in sustainability for three key reasons:
Impact: The logistics sector can potentially reduce CO2 emissions and adopt climate-neutral initiatives significantly. Given the environmental footprint of transport, sustainable changes can yield quick and substantial positive results.
Connection: Logistics connects companies and industries globally. The pandemic underscored the interconnectedness of our global systems, where disruptions in one link affect many others. Efficient and sustainable logistics can create a positive domino effect across various industries.
Network Reach: The extensive stakeholder networks of logistics companies include customers, business partners, vendors, investors, and the communities they operate in, as well as thousands of employees and their families. Sustainable changes in logistics can have widespread effects.
Sustainability: A Core Business Strategy
Since the 1970s, Gebrüder Weiss has viewed sustainability as a business imperative, integrating it into our core operations. Our focus on 'intelligent logistics' involves analyzing our customers' procurement and distribution processes to enhance efficiency. Optimized logistics chains can reduce costs and CO2 emissions, benefiting the environment and the bottom line.
Sustainability is crucial for supply chain organizations to compete and grow successfully in the future, impacting all operational areas, including:
Ability to Operate: Climate change increasingly stresses supply chains, with extreme weather events disrupting transportation, warehouses, and factories. This reality is pushing investors towards companies with sustainable operations. BlackRock, a global investment firm, highlights climate change impacts as a significant consideration for company portfolios, predicting a major reallocation of capital soon.
Consumer Demand and Expectations: The term "greenwashing" emerged when consumers began scrutinizing organizations that superficially promoted sustainability. Today, stakeholders expect transparency and meaningful sustainability efforts. They want to see and be part of authentic initiatives.
Adapt-or-Die Strategies: The future of transportation is evolving, with electric vehicles becoming more prevalent. Companies like Jaguar, Volvo, and General Motors are shifting to electric-only models within the next 10-15 years. Gebrüder Weiss is gradually converting its truck fleet to alternative drive technologies like hydrogen, electric, and electrofuels, depending on available infrastructure.
Strategic Solutions
Sustainability is most effective when integrated into a clear framework and long-term strategy. At Gebrüder Weiss, our business culture is based on three pillars of sustainability:
Economic: Sustainability can generate ongoing savings and revenue. Sustainable economics focuses on long-term strategies rather than short-term gains.
Environmental: Protecting the environment is crucial for risk management and the future. Resource-saving solutions, innovative transport alternatives, and greenhouse gas reduction are vital for future generations and business continuity.
Social: Social sustainability involves responsible actions towards communities within the business footprint. Corporate social responsibility extends beyond physical business borders, impacting global communities.
Opportunity is knocking for supply chain organizations. Those who embrace leadership in sustainability can benefit their bottom lines while contributing positively to the world.
Sustainability in Action
Gebrüder Weiss has two key sustainability initiatives encompassing economic, environmental, and social pillars.
Case Study: Zero Emissions
- Zero Emissions is an add-on product that allows customers to offset the CO2 generated by transport.
- We compute and document CO2 output for every North American shipment by sea or air, offering customers the option to offset the impact through certified climate protection projects.
- With growing customer inquiries about their CO2 footprint, the offsets enable efficient transport with a "climate-neutral" impact.
- Net Zero Emissions helps us work towards climate neutrality by 2030 while aligning with customers' sustainability goals, demonstrating that sustainability can align with core business objectives.
Case Study: Cycling to the Moon and Back
- In March 2024, our third annual international cycling campaign, “GWcycles,” began. Our ambitious goal is for the participants to collectively cycle the distance to the moon and back by September 30, covering 768,800 kilometers (477,710 miles).
- For every kilometer covered, we will plant trees in Nicaragua. Over the previous two years, our campaign has resulted in 13,000 trees planted in Togo and Nicaragua.
- This initiative promotes sustainable mobility and contributes to environmental protection, aligning with our company's sustainability goals.
Gebrüder Weiss is committed to a sustainable future, leveraging our position to make significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. Integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations ensures our long-term success while fostering a better world.
