Numbers. Data. Facts. Sustainability reports in logistics

Stefanie Müller: In a sustainability report, a company informs its stakeholders and the interested public about the three dimensions of its sustainability strategy: environmental, social and economic sustainability. Important topics include environmental impact, employee and social concerns, human rights and compliance. Various guidelines and standards support reporting, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Their standards provide a foundation for companies and the public to communicate and compare the impacts of a company.

Only specific companies are currently required to report on sustainability. These include large publicly traded corporations and certain partnerships, banks and insurance companies. However, this will change from 1 January 2025, with the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will expand the scope of reporting to non-publicly traded companies with at least 250 employees.

Rhenus Automotive is currently not obligated to report on sustainability. Why did you still decide to publish sustainability reports?

Stefanie Müller: As a logistics service provider for the automotive industry, we play a special role that is far less visible than ‘traditional’ logistics areas such as road transportation or air and sea freight. In automotive manufacturing, we are responsible for tasks such as plant logistics, ensuring optimal material supply to our customers’ production lines, ‘just in time’ and ‘just in sequence’ – meaning at the right time and in the correct order. We also handle complex assemblies, e.g. interior modules such as headliners and door panels, as well as complete engines and axles. This ‘invisible’ role in the production process makes it even more important for us to communicate honestly and transparently about the impact of our business activities on people and the environment. This builds trust among employees, customers and the public. That is why we started sustainability reporting in 2019 to identify the significant impacts of our own business operations and define the starting point. This marked the beginning of the carbon neutrality challenge that we work on every day.

What is Rhenus Automotive doing in terms of sustainability, and how is it reflected in the sustainability report?

Stefanie Müller: In addition to the goal of carbon neutrality, we support the UN Global Compact initiative for sustainable and responsible business practices, as well as the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – which are a universal call by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of all people. The Rhenus Group has identified four of these 17 SDGs as priority goals for sustainable development: Climate Action, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Good Health and Well-being, and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. We are committed to taking immediate action to mitigate climate change and its impacts, going beyond the legal requirements of climate targets.

As an internationally operating family-owned logistics company, Rhenus takes its social responsibility seriously as sustainability is the key factor for stable and long-term growth. We therefore promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. Through various projects with partners from science and research, we contribute our expertise and experience to develop sustainable solutions for the logistical challenges of the future.