Environmental protection

At GLS, we care about our effect on the world around us. Every parcel and its related logistics and transport processes have an impact on natural resources and cause carbon emissions. We want to continue our mission in connecting people around the world whilst protecting the environment for future generations. Therefore, climate and environmental protection are central components of our sustainability activities.
We launched our group-wide environmental strategy Climate Protect, aiming to maximise our impact on environmental protection and ensure that knowledge and efforts are shared and executed across our entire international network.
At the end of 2023, GLS Group committed to setting near-term and long-term science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. Read more about our commitment here
In addition, a compensation program is available in participating GLS companies. Carbon emissions caused by the transportation of parcels and freight shipments, as well as the carbon emissions from buildings and business travel of such companies are voluntary offset. Read more about GLS Slovenia's compensation program here

You can download up-to-date document below about our sustainable development

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Vehicles

GLS is increasing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its entire vehicle fleet is being gradually converted to more environmentally friendly models- electric vans and electric personal vehicles and by using bicycles in areas where this is possible.

Vehicles

Transportation planning

We use modern, IT-based planning tools to improve operational processes and transportation. Transport routes are systematically minimised through optimised route planning.

Transportation planning

We use modern, IT-based planning tools to improve operational processes and transportation. Transport routes are systematically minimised through optimised route planning.

Sites

We use photovoltaic system on our main HUB and on sorting system in Ljubljana.

Sites

We use photovoltaic system on our main HUB and on sorting system in Ljubljana.

Other activities

We are switching to digital invoices, delivery run sheets and receipts throughout Europe. Business Contracts are stored in digital format, singed with e-signatures and are not printed at any point. Videoconferencing is reducing the number of business trips undertaken. If a paper copy is absolutely necessary, we use recycled paper.

Other activities

Sustainability strategy

Climate Protect

GLS Slovenia strategy is based on the reduction, avoidance and compensation of emissions. Our priority is to reduce and avoid emissions. This includes emissions that come from our physical operation and those that come from indirect sources, such as purchasing electricity or heat for our buildings. Reducing and avoiding emissions is crucial to our long-term ambition of reaching zero emissions in 2045. To offset our emissions, GLS Slovenia has teamed up with ClimatePartner to support projects that prevent CO2 from being emitted. ClimatePartner protects existing forests and invests in the expansion of renewable energies around the globe for climate protection.

Check the updated info here.

Certificate

Environmental management: GLS Certified to ISO 14001

GLS operates in an environmentally friendly manner and puts sustainability projects into practice at all national subsidiaries. GLS has gained ISO 14001:2015 certification for its environmental management system in all European countries. This globally valid and recognised standard is one of the most important environmental management benchmarks for manufacturing companies and service providers alike.

14001:2015 certificate

Environmental management: GLS Certified to ISO 9001

Celovito zagotavljanje kakovosti v GLS vključuje natančno določene delovne procese, smernice kakovosti z inšpekcijskimi rutinami in rednimi presojami.

GLS zagotavlja, preverja in izboljšuje kakovost z vseevropskim sistemom vodenja kakovosti. GLS s svojim sistemom vodenja kakovosti izpolnjuje visoke, mednarodno priznane standarde po DIN ISO 9001:2015.

9001:2015 Certificate

GLS Group’s sustainability efforts rewarded with EcoVadis Silver Certificate in 2024

GLS Group’s sustainability efforts have been rewarded with the EcoVadis Silver Certificate. EcoVadis looks at a range of metrics under the categories: Environment, Sustainable Procurement, Ethics, Labour & Human Rights, rating companies against the highest possible standard. GLS Group’s environmental impact score of 90/100 puts the company among the 2% top-rated companies in the postal, courier and freight transport industry within the Environmental category. Overall, GLS is in the top 6% of companies in the postal, courier and freight transport industry assessed by EcoVadis.

Eco footprint

GLS records and monitors its progress in environmental protection on a regular basis.

Every year, we collect and consolidate all data relating to our three target categories - emissions, resources and waste management - from more than 350 locations across Europe. The methodology used is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO 14064 and is verified externally by DEKRA. Our "Eco-Footprint" also provides the basis for calculating carbon emissions for each individual parcel shipped.

Download the sustainability reports

Science based targets

GLS is continuously implementing measures to avoid and reduce its carbon emissions. With the SBTi commitment, GLS is taking the next step to ensure that its reduction path is in line with the latest climate science.
Science-based targets (SBTs) give companies a clearly defined path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. GLS declared its intention to develop and set near-term and long-term SBTs in December 2023.