Sustainable Supply Chains
Sustainability and logistics are two fields that pose significant challenges in their compatibility: Transporting relief goods with climate-damaging airplanes? Living wages for suppliers? Decent working conditions along the entire supply chain? New, environmentally friendly delivery options in the destination countries? The list is long and complex.
But we wouldn’t be humanilog if we didn’t tackle this challenging topic. We know that we as individuals cannot shake up the global logistics industry and turn it around sustainably from one day to the next. But with the decisions we make along the supply chain, we set impulses. We take a clear stand.
And we work in partnership to find solutions.
Our understanding of sustainability
We do not see sustainability as a trendy buzzword, but as an integral part of our lifestyle, our corporate culture and our daily actions. Since our foundation, responsible and sustainable actions have been ingrained in our association’s DNA, reflected in a clear vision and mission
We know the levers that are relevant to our work. It is therefore important to us to integrate as many sustainable solutions as possible into our supply chains. There are not many sustainable pioneers in logistics and some obstacles on the way to environmentally friendly supply chains.
We are aware that it is not possible to speak of sustainable supply chains if they do not yet meet sustainability standards. That is why we clearly distance ourselves from greenwashing and make it clear where further action is needed.
When sustainability reaches its limits
The reality in the logistics sector is complex. There are areas in which it is extremely difficult to implement sustainability. Often, sustainable alternatives fail simply because of limited availability or financial barriers.
We do not want to make empty promises, but want to make it clear that we are aware of this challenge. We are working hard to find realistic and effective solutions to drive sustainability in our industry.
Today, we already work without intermediaries, focus on consolidating shipments, prefer sea transportation, pay higher wages, or give preference to logistics companies that invest in forward-looking technologies and offer sustainable solutions.
Our mission: Identifying problems and contributing to solutions
Our commitment to sustainable logistics goes far beyond the reduction of greenhouse gases such asCO2 emissions. How do we do that?
We take social responsibility seriously. Sustainability is reflected not only in environmental aspects, but also in social aspects. As part of our work, for example, we inform Eastern European drivers about their rights, as they often work under precarious conditions. With informational material, we enhance their awareness of the current legal situation and their rights.
We rely on alternative transportation routes. Whenever possible, we promote the use of rail transportation in order to reduce road pollution andCO2 emissions. Time and cost factors as well as sensible route planning are decisive for this.
We promote dialog. We inform our customers about sustainable options and encourage them to make responsible decisions. We optimize your and our processes through constant dialogue. This increases the demand for environmentally friendly logistics solutions.
We rely on education. We are constantly educating ourselves on the subject of sustainability. In this way, we create a greater awareness of sustainability issues and solutions throughout the entire team.
The three areas of responsible action
Environmental
- Traffic congestion: Overcrowded highways and traffic jams not only increase fuel consumption, but also cause air pollution and environmental impact.
- Waste and recycling: The disposal of packaging materials and other waste in logistics is an environmental issue.
- Reducing emissions: The logistics industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in road transportation.
Social
- Working conditions: Low wages, high time pressure and immense workloads harm employees.
- Health and safety: Safety in warehouse work, goods transport and logistics centers is often inadequate.
- Working hours and pay: Fair pay, shorter driving times and less overtime contribute to social sustainability.
- Supplier responsibility: Ethical procurement and fair treatment of suppliers and subcontractors are part of responsible business practices.
Governance
- Compliance and ethics: Compliance with laws and ethical standards, such as labor law or environmental regulations.
- Corruption: Is a serious problem in some parts of the world. Bribes for faster customs and transportation processes are not uncommon.
- Ethical procurement and supplier management: Monitoring ethical procurement policies and suppliers is challenging as many companies are not transparent.
There is so much to do!
The logistics industry faces significant challenges in addressing the various areas of ESG guidelines, promoting sustainable practices and social responsibility. The inclusion of ESG criteria plays a major role in our business decisions and is fundamental to making the industry as a whole more sustainable.
Which path do we want to take?
We are committed to finding solutions and driving optimization forward. Even small steps can help to increase the sustainability, social responsibility and efficiency of our working methods in logistics.
We are transparent and deal with challenges openly. By clearly identifying and understanding the problem areas in the logistics industry, we lay the foundation for sustainable solutions.
We are looking for innovative ways in a complex world to make logistics more sustainable and drive positive change.
Stay tuned!
