As a leading European logistics service provider, the GLS Group is fully aware of its responsibility towards the environment and society. Since 2009, we have assessed the ecological footprint of the GLS Group, looking at emissions, raw material consumption and waste processing. The method we use is compliant with the ISO 14064-1 standard and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
GLS takes a holistic approach to sustainability, focusing on the social, environmental and economic aspects of social responsibility. These components come together in our ThinkResponsible programme, divided into Climate Protect, ThinkSocial and ThinkQuality.
With our services, we contribute to employment, mobility and the reliable supply of goods. We feel connected to the society and strive for sustainable economic success and a better environment for future generations. You can read more about our ThinkResponsible programme and its initiatives in our sustainability report.
In 2008, GLS launched a sustainability initiative to coordinate and actively promote the various activities within the GLS Group.
Our environmental management system, which is certified according to the ISO 14001 standard, implements measures conceived within the framework of Climate Protect. Environmentally conscious ideas and actions are reflected in all areas of the company, from more efficient route planning to making buildings and workplaces more sustainable. The management system helps us to achieve the goals we have set. All European GLS companies have a local environmental representative who is responsible for implementing environmental protection measures.
GLS Netherlands compensates and reduces its entire carbon emissions with national projects and abroad. In order to reduce the carbon emissions of our transport and logistics activities, GLS Netherlands focuses on various environmentally friendly solutions. Unfortunately, not all carbon emissions can be avoided. Therefore GLS Netherlands compensates all its emissions, in collaboration with ClimatePartner . GLS also supports sustainable forest projects in the Netherlands through the Trees For All foundation .
The Jacundá project is a REDD+ project that reduces emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. In addition, the mechanism helps to combat poverty, to preserve the biodiversity and to maintain vital ecosystems.
This climate project, with a Gold Standard certification, invests in the local production and sale of efficient cooking appliances (cookstoves). Thanks to the cookstove, 50% less wood is needed for cooking and less smoke is released. In addition to an enormous health improvement, the cookstoves contribute to the prevention of deforestation and ensure a significant CO2 reduction.
With this biogas project livestock farms no longer need to dispose their manure on fields in the vicinity in order to meet the government-imposed nitrogen absorption limits. With this project, we are contributing to the financing of greenhouse gas reductions by biogas installations at various locations in the Netherlands
As one of the CO2 compensation projects, GLS Netherlands supports the Trees For All foundation. They plant trees and restore existing forests. An example is the creation of new loam forests in Het Groene Woud (North Brabant). Here, former agricultural land is converted to enhance biodiversity both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Even when we build and expand depots, we think of the environment. Wherever possible, we use rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, recyclable building materials and heat pump heating. At all of our depots, we focus on optimal waste processes, efficient lighting and the use of renewable energy.
The GLS fleet is gradually being replaced by environmentally friendly models. We are already using electric vehicles in several major Dutch city centres. We also use fuel-saving applications such as Longer and Heavier Truck Combinations (LHVs) and tyre inflators.
Our modern planning software improves operational processes and transport procedures. Optimised route planning makes transport routes as short as possible. In the last mile, we apply smart delivery options for a successful first delivery. This prevents extra kilometres being driven.
In order to optimise our logistics processes and work more sustainably at the same time, we started with the Lean & Green programme of Connekt in 2019. And with success! Well within the set 5 years we reduced our CO2 emissions by at least 20%. In June 2021, this resulted in our first Lean & Green star!
The people who work at and for GLS have different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, religions and beliefs. Appreciation, respect and understanding are important principles for the Group when dealing with employees and partners. Intensive communication with all who make the last mile for GLS when picking up and delivering parcels is an essential part of the cooperation.
The development of our employees is a crucial part of the GLS strategy, with which the Group aims to ensure long-term success for the company and its employees.
In addition, management and employees attach importance to helping people in need. Throughout Europe, GLS companies support carefully selected initiatives in their social environment, both through direct sponsorship and by offering free transport services.
GLS is committed to the training and development of the next generation. Young people receive comprehensive and practice-oriented vocational training. Furthermore, the GLS Group offers its employees the opportunity to develop professionally and, if possible, to take up management positions.
GLS uses its country-specific networks to support carefully selected initiatives in each society. The GLS subsidiaries support various charities with national and regional activities. For example, charitable organisations for children are offered free parcel transport and foundations for mentally or physically handicapped people are sponsored. On a local level, many GLS depots give financial support to (nursery) schools, hospitals, hospices and other voluntary organisations.
Since 2012, the GLS Group is the official logistics partner of the European Film Academy and takes care of transport for the European Film Awards. GLS Austria supports the LET'S CEE Film Festival in Vienna. GLS Germany is the logistics partner of the Deutsche Filmakademie and works for the Deutscher Filmpreis and for FIRST STEPS, a film award for newcomers.
GLS Belgium sponsors the Belgian football team and links this to social involvement. Employees, partners and people with disabilities are invited to every home match of the team. In many countries, GLS depots support local sports clubs.
Our quality standards are not limited to transport services, but are interwoven into all business systems and processes. These high requirements and the increasing complexity have led GLS to develop a quality management system in line with ISO 9001:2015. It enables GLS to guarantee seamless internal processes and stable quality with regard to our services.
GLS guarantees, checks and improves quality and sustainability with a pan-European quality and environmental management system. It is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 by DEKRA, one of the largest and highly respected international providers of management system certifications. With the quality management system GLS fulfils high, internationally recognised standards.
European GLS-systems monitor every step in the process. Each day over 20 million registrations follow the 1,7 milllion shipped consignments. An extensive data and information management systeem is therefore essential and constitutes an important pillar in our partnership and trust. Other components of our quality control are a well organised customer service, regular customer surveys and special training programmes.