Climate Protect
As a major player in the logistics industry, GLS Group is aware of its responsibility to the environment and society.
In 2008, we launched the ThinkGreen initiative, which focused on promoting green attitudes and solutions within the company. We are continuing these activities, but the GLS Group as a whole is going further. On our way to climate neutrality, we launched the Climate Protect program.
Reducing CO2 emissions, optimizing waste management and using resources responsibly are at the center of this program. In 2045, we want to achieve climate neutrality, which means that we will gradually reduce CO2 emissions year after year. We are already offsetting all current emissions, and we intend to significantly reduce them on every parcel over the next few years.
Our CSR approach
On the basis of its internal assessment, GLS reports in detail on its current economic, social, environmental and corporate objectives, activities and progress.
Quality certification
GLS guarantees, monitors and improves quality and sustainability through its pan-European quality and environmental management system. This system has been certified according to DIN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 by DEKRA, one of the largest and most respected international management system certification bodies. Through its quality management system, GLS complies with strict, internationally recognised standards.
Climate compensation
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to stop all activities that have a negative impact on the environment. Therefore, we have decided to compensate for what we cannot reduce. As the GLS Group, we compensate for our total CO2 emissions.
What does climate compensation mean?
Climate compensation is a way to offset CO2 emissions from handling and shipping parcels by participating in climate projects that reduce CO2 around the world.
Climate compensation is not a standalone project but it complements our overall CO2 reduction strategy. As long as it’s not technologically possible to completely eliminate CO2 emissions when handling and transporting parcels, we have decided to compensate for what we cannot reduce yet.
Why does GLS compensate?
We care about the world in which we all live, we want to leave a planet for future generations to live on. Our ambition is to become a zero-emission company by 2045. To achieve this, we replace our cars with electric ones, buy certified energy from renewable sources and optimize energy consumption wherever possible.
However, it is impossible to reduce all CO2 emissions if we want to continue delivering parcels. That is why we have decided to offset the emissions that we cannot reduce yet.
How GLS compensates emissions?
GLS Poland compensates for its carbon dioxide emissions through cooperation with a partner managing offset projects.
Climate Partner creates projects aimed at reducing or capturing carbon dioxide in various parts of the world.
It is one of the tools that can be used to achieve carbon neutrality and is based on the principle of global emissions. Wherever CO2 is emitted it has the same effect on the climate. Likewise, reducing emissions at one point or another brings the same benefits to our planet. In practice, this means that CO2 emissions can be compensated elsewhere.
That’s why GLS decided to cooperate with Climate Partner and participates in 4 sustainable development programs (with ecological, social and economic dimensions).
Peru : Protecting an endangered part of the Amazon
Since 2009, our project has been protecting an area of 100,000 hectares and helping local communities in the Madre de Dios region, which is threatened by massive deforestation due to a number of factors.
India : Wind energy
Our project involves the construction and operation of a wind turbine in a wind farm. In addition to climate protection and increasing the share of renewable energy in the grid, the project also contributes to sustainable development.
Brazil : Combating deforestation through land purchase
Our project in the Brazilian Amazon reduces emissions by avoiding deforestation. The project area covers 148,000 hectares in the municipality of Portel in the north of the country.
India : Solar power plant
In March 2018, a solar power plant was commissioned in the village of Guttigoli in Belgaum. The electricity produced is fed into the Indian grid, replacing electricity from fossil fuels with emission-free solar energy. The project also supports sustainable development in the surrounding villages.
At GLS, we are committed to creating a better future.
Take a look at the photos showing how we do it on a daily basis.
Photovoltaics
We install photovoltaic panels on the roofs of our facilities, which allows us to significantly reduce consumption of energy from the grid.
LED lightening
The energy consumption of LED bulbs is over 10 times lower than that of traditional ones. Replacing lighting both inside and outside our facilities allows not only to save energy costs, but also has a direct impact on reducing CO2 emissions.
Electric Vans
Electric buses operate on regular routes in more and more cities in Poland. Such vehicles are zero-emission, generate no noise or pollution.
Renewable energy
85% of energy we use in our facilities comes from renewable sources.
Vehicle chargers
We are installing BEV chargers at our facilities to increase the number of electric vehicles on our network. We are particularly keen on installing chargers in depots based on renewable energy to exclude the use of carbon-based energy.
Courier scanner
Custom made application for courier scanners, the implementation of which resulted in paper savings of almost 30% during the year.
Courier bikes
Designed to serve the centers of Cities and Clean Transportation Zones. Today it is dozen or so bicycles on regular routes in large cities in Poland.
