Lean and Green Initiative by GS1 Makes Logistics Greener

The Lean and Green initiative connects manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies that want to reduce their emissions of the climate-damaging greenhouse gas CO₂. A collaboration between Big Mile and GS1 Germany offers participating companies easier implementation of their reduction targets with free access to features of the “Big Mile” tool.

(Cologne) Green logistics, sustainable CO₂ footprint: “There is a lot of movement in the industry, for example in our Lean and Green initiative,” explains Oliver Püthe, logistics expert at GS1 Germany. The initiative connects manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies that want to reduce their emissions of the climate-damaging greenhouse gas CO₂ and supports them in planning and implementing appropriate measures. Participating companies receive certification from TÜV Nord for achieved reduction targets. “The path to this should be as simple as possible, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, where low effort is crucial,” Püthe continues. Collecting and transmitting data to TÜV Nord as part of the CO₂ reduction initiative is now even easier for participants of the Lean and Green initiative. GS1 Germany collaborates with Big Mile, a platform for optimizing the CO₂ footprint in transportation.

The collaboration enables companies to transmit their data in a simply structured process and subsequently calculate the CO₂ footprint. Additionally, the Big Mile tool offers users various approaches for optimizing the emissions balance and identifying ways to reduce CO₂ emissions. These approaches include, for example, load space optimization, identification of round trips, or optimization of site structures.

Simplifying Efforts for Users

The solution is intended to eventually replace the action plan and dashboard, thereby streamlining the effort for users. It also requires less prior knowledge regarding CO₂ accounting – an important aspect, especially for small and medium-sized players. The free offer allows for up to five reports per year. The necessary data can be sent to the tool via interfaces to transport management and ERP systems or simply via CSV upload, which in turn forms the basis for accounting. Another crucial advantage of the Big Mile tool is that the auditing by TÜV Nord is accelerated. Auditors receive all information from individual companies in a uniform format and do not have to familiarize themselves with different representations as before.

Sustainability in Transport and Logistics

“Sustainable transport and logistics play a vital role in Essity’s strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our membership in the Lean and Green initiative is an important building block for this. With the help of the Big Mile tool, we have been able to further professionalize CO₂ accounting and initiate improvements where necessary,” explains Gretta Schoonderbeek, Customer Logistics Manager Retail Netherlands & DACH at the hygiene and health company Essity.

Photo: © GS1 Germany