Setting the strategy for sustainability

Tackling climate change today is a priority in every European industry. However, sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As Ewelina Jablonska Gryzenia explains, Raben has set the bar high for both itself and its partners in building sustainable industry-focused goals, including clear reductions in CO2 emissions by 2025 and expanded fleets of EV trucks.

You have updated your sustainability strategy. What key measures and changes should you take towards the 2025 plan?

The strategy sets the direction, like a guiding star, and the direction has been clearly defined – sustainability is the goal. As a European TFL (transport, forwarding, logistics) leader, we are aware of our responsibility for the environment and for society. Building a better, more sustain- able future is our commitment to customers, financial partners, civil society, employees and other stakeholders.

Today, tackling climate change appears to be one of the most important challenges and failure to do so represents a key risk. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the importance of social issues and corporate resilience. It is these factors that have driven us to rebuild our sustainability strategy in 2021. During its formulation, we rethought all of our ESG material risks and opportunities, which allowed us to clearly define our sustainability goals.

Environmental protection, responsible organization and social impact are the core pillars of our Sustainable Strategy. Climate-change targets and initiatives are Raben Group’s most visible sustainability-related programs but our strategy also focuses on the circular economy, employee health and safety, and working conditions, as well as continuously improving corporate governance.

Environmental protection, responsible organization and social impact are the core pillars of our Sustainable Strategy

You have been approved for and granted a sustainabilitylinked loan by seven banks. What are your obligations under this commitment?

It is noteworthy that this loan has been one of the first sustainability-linked loans for the European logistics sector. The signing of the loan agreement was preceded by intensive discussions between Raben Group and bank representatives, whose priority was to define sustainable development goals and set up real goals in line with the Sustainability Strategy and the Raben Group Eco2 Way 2025 initiative. Under the agreement, Raben Group has committed to: reduce CO2 emission intensity from Raben facilities by 30% and from transport by 10%, increase the share of the fleet with at least a Euro 5 emission standard or LNG/CNG/electric/hydrogen drive from 73% to 96%, increase the participation of women in management positions to 34% by 2025, and, last but not least, confirm the advancement of the best ESG management practices by receiving a higher Raben Group EcoVadis rating every year.

Is Raben working with SBTi goals and what is your target and timing?

Climate change is one of the biggest threats we have ever faced and one of its causes is anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. TFL is responsible for around 25% of all emissions in the European Union, with both light- and heavy-goods vehicles accounting for 38% of these. Transport is also one of the few industries that have seen emissions rise steadily since 1990. Decarbonisation is a great challenge for the entire sector. However, we must act now.

That is why we have decided to increase our ambitions and have set new reduction targets. To confirm they are in line with the Paris Agreement pathway, we have had them reviewed by SBTi experts.

Finally, we have committed ourselves to reduce absolute Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 38.7% by 2030 (compared to the level of emissions in these scopes in 2020). And lastly, Raben Group has committed itself to engaging its regular carriers, collectively responsible for 77% of Scope 3 emissions, in climate action by 2026, and for them to set emission reduction targets in line with scientific knowledge.

Are you already using electric trucks and what is your vision regarding the total fleet and warehouses reaching zeroemission?

As members of the transport & logistic industry, we are at the early stages of reaching zeroemission transport. However, our long-term goal is to deliver sustainable services to our customers. In real estate, we have already significantly reduced emissions by purchasing green energy with certificates of origin. In addition, we have developed an action plan to go one step further. We signed a seven-year PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with an energy supplier in Poland. Under the agreement, beginning in 2023, Raben Group in Poland will use energy from PV power plants in our own facilities.

A vastly more challenging task is to transform the fleet to low- or zero-emission. Based on recent data, only 346 electric trucks had been registered in Europe in 2021. In Raben Group’s fleet, the first electric truck will start operating in autumn 2022 and the long-term plan is to expand the fleet with further EVs. This is the result of cooperation between IKEA Industry, Volvo Trucks and Raben Group to implement zero-emission truck transport between two IKEA factories in Poland.

Will all of these initiatives have a negative impact on your profitability and slow business development?

No, in fact I would say that a lack of sustainability efforts and ESGrelated initiative in the long term can make many companies less profitable and stunt their growth. Lack of action in this area makes companies vulnerable to risks and more sensitive to change. Commitment to sustainability is also valued by customers who are more likely to engage with responsible companies. And finally, the ESG risk assessment underpins the decision-making by financial and insurance institutions. It is an undeniable fact that ESG and corporate performance are strongly linked.

*Transport of the future - prospects for road transport development in Poland 2020-2030

For more about Raben, visit: www.raben-group.com