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.
The transport and logistics industry bears significant responsibility for the environment, and we must remain acutely aware of this in all our actions. From a global perspective, our sector accounts for a third of worldwide emissions. Therefore, it is imperative that we work diligently to reduce our ecological footprint and promote sustainable solutions.
What could this look like?
We optimise our properties by implementing
intelligent energy management systems to lower
energy consumption
We prioritise renewable energy sources
We invest in alternative drive systems and fuels
We reduce packaging materials and provide our
clients with guidance on resource efficiency
We build sustainable logistics facilities
When we plan logistics facilities, we are already thinking 30 to 50 years into the future, and we want to use more and more materials that can be dismantled and recycled in the construction process.
2.1 Climate action & environmental protection
Our mission is to reduce emissions.
Climate action
We are firmly committed to meeting the 1.5°C target and have submitted our emissions reduction goals to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) at the start of 2025.
To actively drive this change, we have developed a comprehensive
transitional plan. This plan includes ambitious guidelines, clear measures and ongoing monitoring to ensure that we not only define our sustainability goals but also consistently implement them.
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.
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources such as vehicle fleet emissions.
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by our organisation.
All other indirect emissions that occur in our value chain, including both upstream and downstream emissions, such as emissions from business travel or waste management.
Development of our emissions
Our greenhouse gas balance provides a detailed overview of where emissions are generated and identifies potential savings. This foundational data enables us to develop and implement targeted mitigation actions.
Distribution of emissions in tons CO2e (Scope 1, 2 und 3)
In the 2024 financial year, our total emissions amounted to 271,286 t CO2e, representing a reduction of approximately 6% compared to the previous year. In Germany, the average greenhouse gas emissions per capita are around 8 t CO2e, which means FIEGE’s emissions are roughly equivalent to the emissions of 33,000 German residents.
We can directly influence the reduction of emissions from heat and electricity, which is why we are focusing on them.
Scope 1 emissions have decreased by 6.7% compared to 2023. Using 2021 as the baseline, we have achieved a reduction of 21%. Significant contributors to this decline include the replacement of oil-fired heating systems as well as the ongoing electrification of our fleet.
We have also made progress in reducing Scope 2 emissions. While overall emissions have increased due to higher electricity consumption, that the rise in emissions has much less pronounced compared to the actual increase in power consumption. This improvement is largely attributed to our continued transition to renewable energy sources.
We are actively working to reduce our Scope 3 emissions, with Scope 3 Category 4 – Transportation – remaining a significant driver of emissions. The transportation services we procure for our clients account for approximately 50% of our total Scope 3 emissions. However, direct comparisons with emissions from the previous year are limited due to enhanced underlying data.
Verified reliability
The compliance of our calculation methodology and approaches with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol has been verified by our auditing partner DEKRA.
This third-party confirmation is crucial as it underscores the reliability of our balance sheet and assures both us and our stakeholders that we are on track.
Energy
We want to gradually develop our logistics sites into sustainable power plants that can supply both us and the public grid with green electricity. The production and use of energy are at the heart of FIEGE’s energy strategy.
Now that we have captured our current footprint through our CO₂e balance, the next challenge is to define climate goals and implement measures to achieve them.
to halve emissions.
Net-zero emissions
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.
Outlook
We are developing a Book & Claim concept to give our customers a simple and flexible way to make their own contribution to reducing emissions.
We have submitted our reduction targets to the SBTi and are awaiting validation.
We are working with our operating units to develop specific action plans that will be evaluated and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
We are exploring synergies between PV systems, storage options and electric vehicles to make efficient use of zero emission technologies.
2.2 Resource Efficiency
Because nature continues to bear the cost of our activities.
How do we use resources more sparingly?
Our processes are guided by the Zero Waste Hierarchy:
Data-based analysis: We conduct data-driven analyses to
capture consumption and identify potential savings by
location, in accordance with the Waste Catalogue Ordinance.
We establish protocols for sorting and miss-sorting to
uncover optimisation opportunities.
Our long-term goal: avoid waste, maximise recycling and ensure the resource-friendly return of recyclables.
Zero Waste Hierarchy
WasteControl – the start of Mission Rethink
Our dedicated Waste Control department is a vital component of our Eco-logistics® initiative. Since 2005, we have been a certified specialist waste management facility, with annual audits conducted by DEKRA. Our objective is not only to dispose of waste but also to return it as a valuable raw material, thereby strengthening the reusable material cycle.
WaCo stands for Waste and Control. However, we view waste not merely as something to be disposed of but as residual material with potential for reuse in the material cycle. “Control” refers to the careful examination and management of input and output.
FIEGE WasteControl – four relevant steps to whip our waste into shape
Waste Management and Recycling
Maximising Reuse Programmes: Implementing specific measures to enhance material reuse.
Energy Recovery: utilising waste to generate electricity and heat.
Eco-Friendly Disposal: Resorting to environmentally responsible disposal only when all other options have been exhausted.
Reuse and Circular Economy
Recycling Programmes: Initiatives for electronic waste to minimise environmental pollution
Disassembly Service: Optimising the preparation and reuse of recyclable materials.
Waste flow Analysis and Monitoring: Continuously improving recycling rates by analysing and monitoring waste streams.
Repair and Refurbishment Services: Offering repair and refurbishment options to extend the life of products.
Certification and Reporting
Data-Driven Optimisation: utilising data to enhance waste management practices.
Comprehensive Waste Analysis: Capturing and analysing waste volumes across the entire organisation.
Recycling Rate Monitoring: Tracing recycling rates to improve sustainability performance.
Efficiency Increase and Future Plans
Raising Awareness: Promoting awareness of eco-friendly disposal methods throughout the organisation.
Utilisation of recycled materials: Increasing the use of recycled materials in our operations.
Status quo of the recycling rate
Current studies and reports underline the considerable potential of the circular economy for economic benefits and climate protection in Europe.
To realise this potential, we are committed to building strong networks, fostering collaborative exchanges and launching forward-thinking pilot projects.
Overall, we seek to develop the following opportunities within our operational processes concerning resource use and the circular economy:
Biodiversity
Our logistical processes present various ecological challenges:
Land and sea use changes resulting from the construction of logistics centres, roads and infrastructure for the
transportation of goods disrupts habitats. The depletion of natural resources is reflected in the vast demand for
wood, plastic and other materials for transport packaging.
Emissions from exhaust gases, particulates, packaging waste and the use of pesticides to kill of pests contribute
to environmental degradation.
The introduction of invasive species through transport can negatively impact native ecosystems. To address these
challenges, we focus on the following ecosystem services.
What measures are we implementing to preserve or promote biodiversity?
Outlook
Development of a FIEGE-wide biodiversity strategy
Development of a sustainable service portfolio (e.g. circular economy services,
sustainable transportation, sustainable real estate development & use of renewable
energies, data products)
FIEGE Sustainability Report 2024
Detailed information, figures and content on all fields of action can be found in the full Sustainability Report 2024.
