Steps to transforming carbon net zero goals in contract logistics

 

Now more than ever, sustainability is at the top of mind for logistics companies and their customers. There are many tangible actions and benchmarks that can be put in place to help the transportation and supply chain industry stay on track and achieve them. Matthew Carroll, director of contract logistics of CEVA Logistics in the UK & Ireland recently shared his expert insights at the 2023 IntraLogisteX conference in Birmingham, UK. Learn more about CEVA UK & Ireland’s approach to sustainable contract logistics and what the global CEVA Logistics teams are doing to support this important topic.

 

The existence of clear development goals drives actionable behaviors

CEVA Logistics plays an important part in the CMA CGM Group’s mission is to contribute to sustainable globalization, and the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility approach is based on three pillars: Acting for People, Acting for the Planet and Acting for Responsible Trade.

CEVA’s vision and work to reach net zero shows our commitment to the planet, to our communities and to future generations. We are aligning ourselves with a clear mission and targets that are important to both our own company and to current and future customers. As part of the CMA CGM Group, CEVA has a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and our UK & Ireland (UKI) region is targeting 2045.

Building a strategic model based on compliance with an ISO14001-certified environmental management system helps us keep our focus. We are able to better understand and analyze our data to ensure all improvement opportunities are exploited. Our commitment leads us to continuously improve our performance by preventing pollution, reducing waste and minimizing consumption of natural resources, all while looking for ways to use technology and renewable energy sources to help us achieve these actions.

 

Sustainability is rooted in the logistics ecosystem

As a global organization, we are taking steps to ensure sustainability is being achieved across the entire global logistics ecosystem. CEVA Logistics is 100% certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards, which are the international references for quality, environment and health and safety. In 2021, CEVA Logistics was among the 1% of businesses rated by EcoVadis in the sustainability category, and reached an overall “Silver status” of the EcoVadis Environmental Rating process.

Beyond these achievements, we work with industry groups to look for better ways to sustainably operate as a leader in our industry. CEVA is a member of the Clean Cargo Group to advance sustainability within ocean transport and a founding member of the Sustainable Air Freight Alliance (SAFA) to advance sustainability within the air transport sector.

Aligning with like-minded partners is key to achieving sustainability goals. It is important that companies align themselves with partners who see sustainability as a key priority and take action—from manufacturing to transportation logistics and warehousing. CEVA Logistics even works with our real estate partners to make sustainable, environmental improvements, such as solar panels and LED lighting, at our warehouse facilities.

 

Journey to net zero

The next step in our journey to net zero in CEVA’s contract logistics arena is transitioning all contract logistics and freight warehouses to low-carbon electricity by 2025. The commitment will rely on a combination of purchasing low-carbon electricity (renewable and nuclear) from local utility providers and increasing our own production of electricity using rooftop solar panels, which CEVA will triple by the end of 2025. In addition, CEVA expects to reach 100% LED lighting in its warehousing facilities by the end of 2023. Currently, more than 77% of our warehouse facilities in the UK and Ireland have.

From January 2021, CEVA began transitioning all company cars to an electric fleet. In addition, we have identified suitable routes within our current operations and are partnering with a number of electric vehicle suppliers, including Volta and Volvo, to increase our electric vehicle fleet. To support this transition, electric charging stations are being installed at several CEVA sites– seven were installed in 2022 and another seven to be installed in 2023. We are exploring high-powered commercial electric vehicle chargers to allow us to trial and lease larger electric commercial vehicles.

Beyond EVs, CEVA is also exploring biodiesel via hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which is compatible with our current fleet of all commercial vehicles. There is a 90% potential reduction in carbon emissions and lower particulate matter. We have partnered with Green Biofuels and are now using HVO across nine locations via more than 180 vehicles, and plans exist to increase this further in 2023.

 

Commit by taking action

There is only one way to begin, and that’s by taking action. Here at CEVA in the UK & Ireland, as well as CEVA across the globe, we take actions big and small to make a difference and work towards our net zero goal.  

• Our teams on the ground are coming together with local communities to increase engagement across all CEVA sites. These volunteer projects and events are focused on sustainability and offsetting environmental impacts and have included over 75 volunteer activities and 91 charity fundraising events in 2022.We estimate our carbon footprint across all modes of transportation logistics through our MyCEVA calculator to offer customers reduced carbon emissions transport options.
• We change our behaviors on the ground in our day-to-day work like reusable water bottles, waste reduction programs and encouraging employees to use eco-friendly modes of transportation.
• We offset our emissions by planting trees and architecting new landscaped natural areas around our facilities.
• We are actively adding solar panels across facilities, including in Benelux where we produce more energy than we consume!
• We invest in cleaner fuel options.

 

Sustainability has become a core part of our business, and we will continue to ”Act for the Planet,” making investments as part of our commitment to find better ways to transport goods across global supply chains.