Overview

Management Approach

Energy Efficiency

Waste and Recycling

Water and Conservation

Case study I: Reducing carbon emissions

Case study II: E-file feature aiming 100% paperless supply chain

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reductions have been a priority for a long time at Kuehne + Nagel. Although the science of global climate change is evolving, Kuehne + Nagel has taken voluntary, responsible action to reduce and control its carbon footprint. In addition to managing direct emissions from our operations, Kuehne + Nagel has a track record of improving energy efficiency at its facilities and offers a wide range of innovative products to support customers improve energy efficiency and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

This includes setting corporate GHG emission reduction goals and policies, which complement the efforts of the company 2020 environmental strategy.
 

History of Climate Change Reductions  

^{GRI 305–1; GRI 305–2}

Kuehne + Nagel understands that the impacts and reduction efforts associated with GHG emissions require a long-term commitment as the effects of both cannot be realised in only one year. Therefore, implementing reduction initiatives have been a key priority to Kuehne + Nagel. The company’s GHG Management Strategy includes a rigorous accounting system to generate an annual inventory of worldwide emissions. This process and the associated GHG emissions reported from 2010 to 2018 were validated by an external third-party consultant. Since 2010, the global Kuehne + Nagel inventory has been developed, maintained and third-party verified by Kuehne + Nagel’s ISO/BVC accredited party in accordance with GHG Protocol and the European Norm EN 16258. The table below shows the 2012 – 2018 results.
 

The total GHG inventory encompasses the company’s diversity and complexity. A total of approximately 700 sites* including warehouses, offices and distribution centres within Kuehne + Nagel’s operational control is accounted for in the current inventory. This includes both Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions as categorised by the GHG Protocol. 

Based on the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard, Kuehne + Nagel has been working on developing a Scope 3 emissions inventory. While emissions could be estimated for most Scope 3 upstream categories, Kuehne +Nagel places a high value on sound science and decision-making. Also, it has elected not to publicly report Scope 3 GHG emissions due to a high, unverifiable level of uncertainty in emissions estimate.
 

Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals  

^{GRI 305–4}

In the area of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, Kuehne + Nagel has met the proposed reduction goals established in 2010, a global target that is part of our 2020 environmental strategy to reduce relative carbon emissions by 15 per cent per FTE and 15 per cent per 100 m² from 2010 – 2020.
 

Carbon emissions (CO₂)*

19 per cent per 100 m² increase was due to new facilities opened.
*  CO₂ is for Scope 1 and 2 emissions (mainly fuel from owned trucks and electricity consumed in our premises).
**  A site in Kuehne + Nagel is defined as all operated facilities with >15 employees and floor space > 800 m².

In 2018, Kuehne + Nagel reduced its CO₂ emissions by 3 per cent but increased 2 per cent per 100 m², due to new facilities opened. Reductions were accomplished by using effective emissions control technology. Kuehne + Nagel is currently working to establish the next Carbon Emissions Reduction Goal(s).