Reducing water consumption and improving water quality are important elements of Kuehne+Nagel’s environmental programme. As a result, we continue to actively manage and work towards reducing our corporate water footprint. Kuehne+Nagel’s water management provides a global framework including both general and specific elements for water management within the company. The standard requires Kuehne+Nagel operations to manage their water resources by understanding water consumption, comply with regulatory requirements, reuse water where possible, and report water usage. Water resources include water intake, effluent water discharge, and rainwater. Most of the water used in Kuehne+Nagel is for domestic use such as cleaning, kitchens and bathrooms, as well as washing of vehicles. A mechanism to properly segregate water discharges is currently being developed and will be in place in next year’s report.
| Metric Unit | 2019 | 2019 |
Change in per cent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water total | Cubic meters | 965,879 | 897,256 | 8 |
| Water per 100 m2 | Cubic meters | 11,118 | 9,385 | 18 |
| Water per FTE | Cubic meters | 12,870 | 11,256 | 14 |
| Water recycled | Cubic meters | 29,360 | 27,654 | 6 |
| Ratio recycled | Per cent | 3 | 3 | – |
Kuehne + Nagel started with public environmental reporting in 2012.
All Kuehne+Nagel sites currently track and report water usage. Although Kuehne+Nagel does not have a quantitative goal, conservation efforts indicate an 8 per cent increase in water consumption globally in 2019. Water conservation efforts are achieved through recycling, reuse and improvements to our buildings and operating processes. The majority of our water-intensive operations are located in the United States and Europe in areas that are not subject to water stress or water scarcity. However, they also contribute significantly to our conservation efforts. (SDG 6)
Enhancing and preserving biodiversity are important values in Kuehne+Nagel’s effort to protect its physical environment. We have been working to preserve biodiversity both on our property and through our support and cooperation with local communities.
When developing property, the planning process begins with a thorough evaluation of local soils and geological conditions, ground water and hydrology characteristics, drainage, flora and fauna and items of archaeological or historical significance. The resulting design seeks to comply with all known local, state or federal regulations and to avoid or minimise negative impacts on natural resources.
We have focused on maximising the efficient use of existing space, and, wherever possible, on renovating premises to meet our current and future business needs. This allows the company to grow while minimising its impacts on biodiversity and natural resources.
Our annual sustainability targets help us to track progress. We plan ahead, with objectives set for the period up to 2020, ensuring we have clear medium to long-term goals. Overall, Kuehne+Nagel has reached steady reductions in all targets. 27 per cent on CO2 emissions per FTE and 21 per cent per 100m2 since the implementation of the strategy in 2010. Fuel efficiency progressively improved to reach a 13 per cent increase, while consumption of renewable energy also increased 18 per cent in a period of 10 years. Regarding waste recycled, Kuehne+Nagel has already exceeded the proposed target with an outstanding progress of 77 per cent.
| 2020 Target | 2019 Progress* | |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Issue | ||
| Site** reduction of CO2 emissions |
15% reduction CO2 per FTE; 15% reduction CO2 per 100 m2 | 27% per FTE reduced; 21% per 100 m2 reduced |
| Improve the fuel efficiency Kuehne + Nagel operated road transport | 10% improvement in litres/km where applicable | 13% improvement |
| Increase the % of electricity consumed that is sourced from renewable sources | 10% of total electricity consumption by 2020 | 18% increased |
| Increase the % of freight moved by low-carbon transport modes | 2% increase in freight volume moved per year by rail or inland water (where these modes are commonly available) from 2016 onwards | 6% increase |
| Increase the % of all waste that is recycled | Increase % of all waste that is recycled by 5 per cent points per year to achieve 75% by 2020 | 77% achieved |
* This report reflects yearly performance progress from 2012 until 2018 (aggregated).
** Sites are defined as all Kuehne + Nagel operated facilities with >15 employees and floor space >800 m2.
With the decision to become carbon neutral in 2030, we are currently reviewing set environmental targets that will also be aligned with the Corporate strategy to have a comprehensive cross mode impact. Projects have started to assess bio fuel options for road and sea transports, and the use of renewable energies in all activities worldwide, including solar, wind, hydro, etc. Details of above projects, outcome and impact to customers and supply chain will be outlined in the course of 2020.