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GLS for the Environment
Measures to reduce GLS Italy impact
GLS Italy has been actively seeking and implementing ways to reduce its environmental impact. A commitment it shares with local transport partners.
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Usage of renewable energy
We are signing more and more contracts for the purchase of electricity from renewable sources. -
Replacing of the fossil-fuel fleet with electric and low-emission vehicles[1]. Using of alternative fuels
In cooperation with our transport partners, we are gradually replacing the vehicles with internal combustion engines towards electric and low-emission delivery vehicles[1]. Different electric vehicles are used within the GLS network in Italy, such as electric vans, bikes and trucks. In addition, we also have vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as HVO and LNG. -
Future-proofing our buildings
Modernising our buildings e.g. installing solar systems and installing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Moreover all our warehouses are equipped with LED lighting and new buildings, such as Sordio International Hub, Padova Hub and Parma Depot have BREEAM Certification, a system for assessing the environmental performance of buildings, infrastructure and master planning projects. It takes into account a wide range of criteria (including energy, water, waste, pollution, transport, materials, health and well-being, land use and ecology, innovation)[2]. -
Implementing alternative parcel delivery solutions
Alternative delivery options such as the use of GLS Points allow multiple parcels to be delivered to a single location, thereby reducing carbon emissions[3].
Footnotes:
[1] This means vehicles that during driving operation use electricity or fuels that create lower emissions than diesel or gasoline fuel (e.g. natural gas such as LPG, CNG, LNG; HVO, biogas).
[2] BREEAM is a sustainability rating system developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the United Kingdom in 1990. It is designed to evaluate... (segue spiegazione dettagliata come nello screenshot).
[3] Source:
Lo Shopping Online è più Sostenibile: L’Impatto Ambientale degli Acquisti via eCommerce è inferiore del 75% rispetto a quelli in Negozio , Consorzio Netcomm.
Annual calculation of our CO₂ impact
Following the introduction of measures to reduce in Italy GLS’ impact on the environment, we monitor our progress through an annual calculation of our carbon footprint.
The carbon emissions reported are based on internationally recognised standards, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol * and DIN EN 16258 **.
* GHG-Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) is an accounting standard for quantifying and managing GHG emission.
**European standard for calculating and declaring greenhouse gas emissions from road transport.
What is GLS Italy’s approach to reduce CO2 emissions?
Given that road transportation services are our core business, the reduction of carbon emissions from transport must be at the centre of our efforts. As part of our environmental strategy we are focused on the conversion towards electric and low-emissions transport modes [1], such as electric vans, cargo bikes or the usage of biofuel and biogas. Among other measures, we are supporting the fleet transformation by investing in infrastructure upgrades at our depots. This includes installing charging infrastructure, enhancing the power supply and implementing load balancing systems and electricity meters. Besides these infrastructure measures, other examples may include, but are not limited to, offering incentives to subcontractors who carry out tours with electric vehicles, such as electric charging at GLS locations at a more competitive price than outside, or contractually requiring transport partners to convert endothermic vans to electric or low-emissions vehicles[1].
Furthermore, we are upgrading our existing depots and hubs to reduce our CO2 emissions by increasingly using renewable electricity and installing photovoltaic systems.
We take a holistic approach to these challenges and seek solutions both within our corporate boundaries and together with our business partners. As part of the environmental strategy of the GLS Group, GLS Italy is committed to contribute to the following Group ambitions[2]:
By 2030
- Change our company car fleet to 100% electric vehicles
- Increase the share of electric and low-emission vehicles[1] within the transport fleet to 50%
- Consume 100% renewable electricity
By 2035
- 100% of new transport vehicles will be electric and low-emission vehicles[1]
[1] This means vehicles that during driving operation use electricity or fuels that create lower emissions than diesel or gasoline fuel (e.g. natural gas such as LPG, CNG, LNG; HVO, biogas).
[2] Group ambitions are tracked at the consolidated Group level and do not represent individual ambitions for affiliated companies, such as e.g. those of GLS Italy. These companies may perform above or below the ambitions while the overall Group maintains compliance with the consolidated overall Group ambition.
Has GLS Italy set science-based emission reduction targets?
To ensure our efforts remain aligned with the latest climate science, General Logistics Systems B.V. (GLS B.V.)[3] has set science-based targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi Services Limited, London)[4], which were officially approved by the SBTi on 4 December 2024. GLS Italy is an affiliated company of GLS B.V. and is encompassed in GLS B.V.’s SBTi commitment[5].
GLS B.V. has set the ambition to reduce GLS Group’s overall absolute GHG emissions by 90% by 2045 using 2021 as the base year. Further, GLS B.V. is committed to achieve at Group level the following near-term targets:
- 42% reduction in scope 1 and 2 GLS Group’s overall emissions by 2030
- 36.9% reduction of GLS Group’s overall Scope 3 CO2e per ton-km for light commercial vehicles by 2030
- 31.7% reduction of GLS Group’s overall Scope 3 CO2e per ton-km for heavy freight trucks by 2030
[3] GLS Group encompasses all affiliated companies of GLS B.V. operating under the GLS trademark.
[4] The
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi Services Limited, London) is a partnership of
CDP , the
UN Global Compact , the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It promotes best practices in setting science-based emission reduction targets and provides independent assessment and validation of targets.
[5] Group SBTs are tracked at the consolidated Group level and do not represent individual targets for affiliated companies, such as e.g. those of GLS Italy. These companies may perform above or below the targets while the overall Group maintains compliance with the consolidated overall Group SBTs.
What specific measures is GLS Italy implementing to reduce CO2 emissions?
We pool adequate and sufficient financial resources and expertise to implement our envisaged measures aimed at continuously reducing our carbon emissions. This includes both emissions from our transport operations as well as indirect sources, such as purchased electricity or heat for our buildings. GLS Italy has an Environmental Manager and a dedicated Environmental Team to ensure the implementation in Italy of the measures to track and reduce CO2 emissions.
Our key measures are:
- To increase the use of electric and low-emission transport vehicles[6] in collaboration with our transport partners. We cooperate with vehicle and infrastructure manufacturers, and energy providers to foster innovation in the field of transport and charging infrastructure at GLS.
- To replace GLS company cars to electric vehicles by 2030.
- To continuously optimise our transport network efficiency by using digital technology to optimise and reduce transport distances, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. This also includes reducing last-mile emissions by implementing parcel lockers, parcel shops and other out-of-home[7] delivery options.
- To increase the use of renewable electricity by installing solar systems on our buildings where possible and purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources.
- To continuously develop and improve our environmental management system (ISO 14001).
- To continuously reduce resource consumption at our locations. Besides monitoring energy consumption, we also annually track water and waste consumption to identify possible areas of improvement. Within our environmental management system (ISO 14001), we set local targets for ongoing monitoring and reduction.
- To ensure that all employees and transport partners are fully aware of our environmental responsibilities through continuous exchange, instruction and training.
- To monitor and audit our environmental and energy performance, using the information to continuously improve our efforts.
[6] This means vehicles that during driving operation use electricity or fuels that create lower emissions than diesel or gasoline fuel (e.g. natural gas such as LPG, CNG, LNG; HVO, biogas).
[7] Delivery solutions that take place outside of the recipient’s home, such as parcel lockers, parcel shops and other alternative delivery locations. This method aims to reduce the need for multiple delivery attempts and offers greater flexibility to recipients.
Does GLS Italy have an Environmental Management System in place?
We monitor our resource consumption to mitigate our environmental impact, with a specific focus on reducing:
- electricity consumption,
- water usage and
- waste generation in our operations.
This is part of our environmental management system, which is annually certified in accordance with the standard ISO 14001.
