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For us at Rhenus, sustainability means meeting today’s needs without compromising the future, as guided by the UN Brundtland Commission’s definition. We believe true business success balances profit, environmental impact and social responsibility. Discover the core pillars of sustainability at Rhenus.
In line with our ambition to support our customers’ decarbonization efforts, our vision is to be a key enabler in the transition toward lower-carbon logistics.
By considering the interconnected dimensions of planet, people and profit, we strive to balance environmental responsibility, social considerations and long-term business success. Through innovative customer solutions, responsible business practices and a workplace that empowers and supports our employees, we aim to create long-term value for our stakeholders.
Guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, we integrate sustainability considerations into our operations and decision-making processes. These principles help shape our approach to reducing environmental impacts, fostering social responsibility and promoting strong and ethical leadership.
Explore how our engagement in each ESG pillar drives our mission and join us in supporting the transition toward lower-carbon and more responsible logistics.
Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges our planet faces. The longer we put off commitment towards sustainable practices, the worse difficulties we may face – but solutions are already being developed.
As established in on our Rhenus Environmental Policy, we act decisively by creating lower-carbon logistics solutions and leveraging ESG data to support decision-making and identify improvement opportunities – reflecting the goals and ambitions that shape our actions.
To reach this goal, we empower our employees to drive progress in sustainability, fostering positive change for the planet and stronger communities.
Book and claim is a flexible way to support decarbonization targets in the supply chain. It provides broader access to the benefits of low-emission transport solutions by separating the environmental attributes of solutions such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), battery-electric transport and other options from their physical consumption. With emissions profiles managed in shipzero, environmental attribute claims can be tracked and verified through a transparent and auditable process, including for transport routes where a physical shift to lower-emission alternatives may not currently be feasible.
Lower-carbon aviation is supported through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which we consider a critical enabler for achieving the aviation industry’s decarbonization targets. Working closely with our airline partners, we support the integration and scaling of SAF across air freight networks. To optimize our customer’s supply chains, we adopt tailored solutions, such as modal shifts from air to ocean freight and select more efficient aircraft types, where operationally feasible. Through the combination of SAF, industry partnerships and transport optimization, support efforts to reduce transport-related emissions while maintaining speed and global connectivity.
Let us support you with lower-carbon ship transportation, made possible through the adoption of alternative fuels and propulsion technologies for container vessels and inland barges. Working with carriers and industry partners, we support the transition to solutions such as biofuels, renewable fuels, hydrogen-based propulsion and battery-powered operations where available and operationally feasible. Thanks to collaboration platforms such as Clean Cargo and continuous transport optimization, we support efforts to minimize the environmental impact of logistics activities and ensure reliable supply chains at the same time.
Rhenus supports road freight decarbonization through the adoption of alternative drive technologies and fuels. Depending on operational requirements and infrastructure availability, this includes electric trucks and biofuel-powered vehicles, supported by the ongoing expansion of charging infrastructure. By combining alternative energy solutions, transport optimization and smart technologies, we drive the transformation of logistics activities without compromising operational efficiency.
With pioneering projects in Dortmund, Wesel, Tilburg, Prague and Nuneaton, Rhenus underlines its commitment to improving the environmental performance of logistics operations. Energy-efficient construction, extensive photovoltaic systems and green facades, roofs and outdoor areas are as essential as innovative rainwater utilization and the promotion of e-mobility. Certifications such as BREEAM Outstanding provide independent recognition of the environmental performance of these facilities.
Emission transparency forms the foundation for making informed decisions and developing effective decarbonization strategies. Depending on service type, route and data availability, our emissions reporting can provide visibility into transport-related emissions at shipment, route or customer level. This helps identify optimization opportunities and supports the implementation of further measures. To ensure a high degree of industry alignment and methodological consistency, we work with EcoTransIT World to calculate emissions across all transport modes. This process is based on scientific data foundations and aligns with ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework.
Sustainability-related solutions and services vary by transport mode, route, infrastructure availability and customer requirements. Environmental benefits depend on the specific solution applied and should be evaluated in the context of each shipment.
EcoVadis helps businesses address ESG risks, ensure compliance and achieve goals by enhancing sustainability performance on a large scale. Rhenus has participated annually since 2017, earning certificates each year. In 2025, the Rhenus Group achieved EcoVadis platinum status.
CDP is a global nonprofit organization that discloses and manages environmental impacts. As the gold standard for environmental reporting, it offers a broad dataset on corporate and city actions. Since 2021, Rhenus has annually completed the CDP questionnaire to meet sustainability requirements.
Smart Freight Centre (SFC) is a global nonprofit dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport. Clean Cargo, part of SFC, unites carriers, forwarders and cargo owners to track and reduce emissions in container shipping. The Rhenus Group has been a member since 2023.
As part of the UN Global Compact, the largest global sustainability initiative, Rhenus aligns its strategies with principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption to advance societal goals. Since April 19, 2022, Rhenus has participated in the annual Communication on Progress. For more information, please click here.
As a UN Global Compact signatory, Rhenus is committed to aligning our business model with responsible and sustainable practices. At the same time, we have supported the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals since 2022, contributing to the 17 SDGs to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Rhenus focuses in particular on SDGs 3, 8, 9 and 13.
We regularly monitor and evaluate our sustainability performance, sharing our progress annually through external rating agencies and on the UN Global Compact platform.
We are committed to providing safe work conditions for all our employees and to promoting health and well-being. This starts with regular training courses and health offers for our employees, through to ergonomic and safe workplaces and working conditions.
Rhenus offers regular trainings and co-determination in occupational health and safety, including a reporting system and accident analysis. The Rhenus family also promotes proactive dialog across all levels of the company. Our aim is to refine the occupational health and safety organization day by day.
Zero-accident culture:
As a family-owned business and an internationally operating logistics service provider, we take our social responsibility very seriously. We want to provide a safe and healthy workplace for all our employees. Our pragmatic approach allows us to act quickly in any economic situation.
Aligned with Goal 8, Rhenus prioritizes employee well-being by offering various benefits such as canteens, social rooms, kitchens, company bicycles, subsidies for public transport and gyms or sports activities at many of our sites. Our goal is to extend these amenities to even more sites within Rhenus.
We ensure compliance with all statutory regulations everywhere we operate. This includes adherence to rules and guidelines such as minimum wage, maximum working time, health and safety, etc.
We collaborate with research institutions and start-ups and are involved in scientific projects to build resilient infrastructure, improve inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Our goal is to create safer and more efficient logistics as well as improved infrastructure worldwide.
Our innovative initiatives, including RHEGREEN, the Transport Mode Optimizer, EcotransIT, investments in sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen-powered barges, demonstrate our commitment to developing and scaling lower-carbon logistics solutions. Along with partnerships with companies such as Shell, MAN, Bosch, TSR and the ELISA project, these measures exemplify our progress toward SDG 9.
As a logistics service provider committed to Goal 13, we aim to deliver lower-emissions solutions to our customers. Additionally, we place emphasis on operating energy-efficient logistics properties and advancing alternative drive technologies to reduce our environmental impact.
