We did a double count:
We have only one planet Earth!
2.2 Resource efficiency
Together for a better future
Our goal: to make the best possible contribution to protecting the climate and the environment.
Manmade climate change threatens not only the planet that we live on, but also ourselves. The complex challenges are growing by the year, and the pressure to act is rising. We need solutions as fast as possible. We are well aware of this task and ask ourselves every day when taking business decisions how we can meet our sustainability promise even more purposefully.
What can we do?
We are further integrating climate and environmental protection into our business activities in order to achieve a sustainable future together with our customers, investors and society.
2.1 Climate action and environmental protection
Because it is our mission to reduce emissions.
Climate action
A holistic climate strategy with an ongoing carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) balance sheet plays a key role in achieving our climate goals. By working closely with partners, customers and service providers, we seek strategic partnerships to achieve our climate goals. We track emissions throughout our value chain using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), a globally recognized standard.
Development of our emissions
We examine not just the emissions that we cause ourselves (Scope 1 and 2) but also the indirect emissions released throughout our entire value chain (Scope 3). By precisely analysing these data, we can develop effective mitigation strategies and maximise our contribution to climate action.
Overview of emissions (Scope 1 and 2) in t CO2e
For 2023, 139 locations in total were included in the CO2e balance sheet. The available data reflect the trend of various Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission sources over a three-year period (2021 to 2023).
It is in our power to directly impact the reduction of emissions from heat and electricity, which is why we focus on those.
One positive aspect is that total emissions in 2023 compared to the previous year have declined.
We can directly impact heat and electricity as sources of emissions through our actions, which is why they are especially relevant to us. We have done this by introducing energy-efficient technologies, such as switching to LED lights and thermal pumps. We can also have a positive effect by stepping up our use of renewables, for example through efficiency measures that lower energy consumption or through the installation of motion sensors.
Overall, the data from most locations indicate a positive trend during the period under review. To achieve our climate target in the long run, however, we will need to action further specific measures to lower CO2e emissions, meaning we will need to intensify our current efforts.
According to the GHG Protocol, there are in total 15 categories of Scope 3 emissions that reflect the complete upstream and downstream value chain of a company. These are emissions that are not directly generated at our locations. Following a comprehensive screening, we have identified nine categories that are relevant to the FIEGE Group.
Emissions from the production of capital goods were calculated based on our capital expenditures (spend-based). These amount to 18,482 metric t CO2e in 2023.
We have established approximate values for purchased transportation services (upstream and downstream) under Scope 3.4 and 3.9 with the help of initial projections. This Scope 3 category, according to currently available data, is the largest and most relevant category for FIEGE with more than 238,000 t CO2e.
Additionally, we were able to measure a comprehensive overview of all waste (Scope 3.5) produced and the resulting emissions across our locations for 2023. By improving data transparency and separating the disposal of waste into recyclable and non-recyclable waste categories, we reached a total of 870 t CO2e.
For the first time, we included projections for commutes in 2023. Supported by extensively and precisely conducted surveys, we obtained a transparent overview of emissions caused by this since they have become a relevant factor due to the size of operations and the number of commuting employees. The goal of the surveys is also to develop potential measures to reduce emissions. Scope 3.7 Employee commuting at FIEGE encompasses in total around 29,013
t CO2e.
Lastly, we looked at and evaluated the business travel (3.6) category. It covers all business trips, overnight accommodation and conferences, and currently contributes 1,132 t CO2e. Despite a rise in the absolute number of business trips, a slight decline in emissions can be recorded which is due to improved data quality and the use of fewer mean values. Thanks to our travel policy, we prioritise environmentally friendly alternatives when choosing accommodations and rental vehicles. As a result, our emissions remain below average.
The other two relevant categories (3.1 and 3.15) will follow in the next report as the data base is currently lacking.
CO2e footprint FIEGE in t CO2e
Scope 3 emissions – 2023 (in t CO2e) of the entire FIEGE Group
Calculating our carbon footprint was the first important step in defining a climate action roadmap for our family business. After having captured our current footprint in our CO2 balance in a first step, the subsequent tasks that await us are to define our climate goals and to put measures into practice to meet these goals.
to halve emissions.
to achieve net-zero emissions.
FIEGE Real Estate
What will the logistics sites of the future look like?
To us, the logistics property of the future is an interconnected, highly efficient and sustainable power plant. It is highly selfsufficient and serves at the same time as an energy supplier feeding into the local power grid as well as powering mobility solutions. The logistics property becomes the powerhouse behind the energy transition by producing more power on site from renewables than it consumes.
By connecting solar plants, wind power and storage systems with controllable points of consumption such as thermal pumps, electric conveyors and charging infrastructure for electric cars and trucks, it is possible to perfectly coordinate power production and power consumption thereby relieving pressure on the public power grid. It is also possible to use excess power to produce green hydrogen. By connecting all these separate parts, an effective proprietary energy ecosystem is created.
Sustainable construction – inclusion of the entire lifecycle
Environmental protection
To protect our environment, we must ask the question: What impact do our business activities have on
land,
water,
soil,
flora and fauna?
Our Environmental Management System is an important tool in promoting and managing FIEGE’s environmental sustainability. It pursues a structured approach in identifying, evaluating, minimising and tracking impacts on the environment.
Protecting existing species
Preserving ecosystems
Creating habitats for new species and
Guaranteeing the sustainable use of natural resources.
Goal: preserve and enhance the variety and equilibrium of species
Recommended environmental measures
Creating insect-friendly green spaces
Establishing habitats on top of buildings and in surrounding areas
Building nature modules
Use of biosensitive glazing
Use of biosensitive lighting
Long-term goal: Sponsoring and preserving biodiversity at all FIEGE locations
Outlook
We are developing an SBTi reduction pathway and compiling a comprehensive list of organisation-wide actions to achieve our objectives.
We will begin in 2024 by implementing our CO2e reporting (internal and external) via a centralised dashboard containing all the relevant key figures to provide data both internally and externally.
Where possible, we are introducing and implementing biodiversity concepts throughout the Group.
2.2 Resource efficiency
Because nature keeps paying the
price.
How do we use resources more sparingly?
We need to be more respectful and more frugal – for nature’s sake. As a result, we promote the:
use of recycled materials when buying new things.
re-use of existing resources.
We analyse our consumption to identify potential savings.
Zero Waste Hierarchy
All processes are informed by the Zero Waste Hierarchy.
WasteControl – the start of Mission Rethink
Our locations independently separate, collect and dispose of recyclable materials and waste in line with applicable laws, working with their own independently certified waste management companies. The protection of humans and the environment are a top priority here. With the help of a literally clean waste management, we can mitigate negative impacts on the environment and reduce waste disposal costs.
WaCo is an acronym for Waste and Control. Yet we do not consider waste something to be disposed of, but rather as a residual material with raw material potential for the reusable material cycle. Control in this case stands for the careful examination but also management of input and output.
FIEGE WasteControl – four relevant steps to whip our waste into shape
Overall realignment with sustainability
The German Circular Economy Act and the Packaging Act both have a significant impact on our sustainability behaviour. To address this, we organise upcycling and recycling campaigns, such as the Waste Control Challenge, with our employees. Upcycling existing resources reduces energy consumption and mitigates air and water pollution.
Optimising recycling of individual products and process flows
Sustainable management also enhances the company’s reputation in line with the evolving trend whereby sustainability serves as a key purchasing criterion for many clients. We are therefore dedicated to analysing all upstream and downstream processes relating to our business activities to contribute to the circular economy.
Safe implementation and legally compliant disposal
Once we have exploited all our recycling options, or if materials have reached the end of their lifecycles, we their proper, ecofriendly disposal.
Ongoing tracking and legal documenting
In everything we do for our clients, we always guarantee full transparency of the material flows and recycling approaches in line with the latest requirements. Furthermore, we offer assistance in what are often complex legal specifications. This provides comprehensive legal certainty for our clients.
Waste data (national and international) for the FIEGE Group
This year, we recorded our waste management data for the first time across the entire organisation. The data provide an overview of the volume of waste in the different categories and the proportion that is recycled.
Analysing our recycling rates heightens our awareness of recycling practices and eco-friendly methods of disposal. Improving the education of our colleagues, clients and service providers in the future will contribute to improving recycling behaviours and reducing the environmental impact across all processes.
Outlook
Introduction of a new centralised data collection system for waste which is processed through WaCo
Introduction of sustainable packaging alternatives together with our clients
Improvement of recycling rates across all waste categories
Sustainable packaging alternatives
The rise in packaging waste places a burden on our resources. Nevertheless, this challenge also comes with the opportunity for change, as the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has recognised.
The current linear process by which parcels are packaged and that packaging is then disposed of is inefficient and harmful. It results in large quantities of packaging waste and a high level of energy consumption.
Over the past ten years, the volume of packaging waste has risen by almost 25% and by 2030, a further rise of around 19% is forecast. In 2021, total waste packaging within the EU amounted to 84.3 million tonnes.
Without appropriate measures, emissions caused by waste are expected to rise to 2.6 billion t CO2e by 2050.
FIEGE Sustainability Report 2023
Detailed information, figures and content on all fields of action can be found in the full Sustainability Report 2023.
