Our responsibility
GLS Netherlands takes its responsibilities towards the environment, our employees and society extremely seriously.
Since 2009, we have been assessing GLS Netherlands' carbon footprint, looking at emissions, resource consumption and waste disposal. The method we use is based on the Green House Gas Protocol and transport emissions are calculated according to the requirements of European standard EN 16258 for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
With our services, we contribute to employment, mobility and the reliable delivery of goods. We ensure a good partnership with all employees and transport partners. We feel connected to society and appreciation, respect and understanding are important principles for GLS Netherlands when dealing with employees and partners.
GLS reports in detail on its current goals, activities and progress in economic, social, environmental and corporate matters. Want to know more about what we and other GLS countries are doing on ESG (Environment, Social & Governance)? Then read our ESG report.
Climate Protect
In 2020, we launched a sustainability initiative to coordinate and actively promote various activities.
Our environmental management system, certified to the ISO 14001 standard, implements measures conceived as part of Climate Protect. Environmentally conscious ideas and actions are reflected in all areas of the company; from more efficient route planning to making buildings and workplaces more sustainable through, for example, solar panels and heat pumps. The management system helps us achieve the goals we have set. GLS Netherlands has a local environmental representative who is responsible for implementing environmental protection measures.
At the end of 2023, GLS Netherlands committed to the Scienc Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Science Based Targets are targets that provide companies with a clearly defined roadmap to reduce emissions, in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Read more about our commitment here.
Reducing and compensating
GLS Netherlands reduces and compensates its emissions with national measures and international projects based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and on our annual carbon footprint calculation. To reduce CO2 emissions from our transport and logistics activities, GLS Netherlands deploys various measures, such as the use of electric delivery vehicles and the use of renewable electricity. Unfortunately, not all CO2 emissions can be avoided. Therefore, GLS Netherlands compensates its emissions (excluding emissions from capital goods and employee commuting), in cooperation with ClimatePartner . This company contributes to financing global climate action by supporting climate projects. This financial contribution makes it possible to compensate emissions at least equal to the carbon footprint.
Reducing and avoiding CO2 emissions
More sustainable depots
Even when we build and expand depots, we think of the environment. Wherever possible, we use rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, recyclable building materials and heat pump heating. At all of our depots, we focus on optimal waste processes, efficient lighting and the use of renewable energy.
Emission free deliveries
The GLS fleet is gradually being replaced by electric models. We are already using electric vehicles in several major Dutch city centres. We also use fuel-saving applications such as Longer and Heavier Truck Combinations (LHVs) and tyre inflators.
Optimised route planning
Our modern planning software improves operational processes and transport procedures. Optimised route planning makes transport routes as short as possible. In the last mile, we apply smart delivery options for a successful first delivery. This prevents extra kilometres being driven.
Participation in Lean & Green Programme
In order to optimise our logistics processes and work more sustainably at the same time, we started with the Lean & Green programme of Connekt in 2019. And with success! Well within the set 5 years we reduced our CO2 emissions by at least 20%. In June 2021, this resulted in our first Lean & Green star!
Click the button below for more information on Lean & Green.
Compensating CO2 emissions
Forest Protection in Pacajá, Brazil
The project in the Brazilian Amazon covers an area of 148,000 hectares. To avoid the deforestation of native forests, the project promotes and supports the native population in using sustainable agroforestry techniques and provides them with land use rights for their contribution to nature conservation. In addition, villagers are trained as monitoring personnel working in patrol teams to ensure the project area is monitored. The project is VCS CCBS certified.
Forest Protection in Madre de Dios, Peru
Madre de Dios is an area of the Peruvian Amazon with some of the highest biodiversity in the world. It is also under threat from the Transamazônica road project and deforestation for agriculture. We support a project that protects an area of 100,000 hectares while working with the local population to help manage the land sustainably. The project is VCS CCBS Gold Level certified.
Solar energy in Bhadla, India
By generating 832,550 MWh of electricity each year from solar energy, the GS VER-certified project contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in India’s electricity mix and improves the national energy supply. It further supports infrastructure development in the region, as roads are expanded and improved. This project creates permanent jobs with an above-average income in the region.
Wind energy in Gadhsisa, India
This project generates energy with 143 wind turbines, which corresponds to a total capacity of 300 MW. It, contributes to climate protection, as fossil fuel power plants would have otherwise generated the amount of energy. In addition, the region's sustainable development is supported through the creation of jobs in conjunction with training and the promotion of education, such as the opportunity for students to attend local schools. The project is GS VER certified.
Solar energy in Jodhpur, India
Jodhpur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is a growing city of over 1.5 million people. Due to its desert location, it’s well-placed to provide its industries electricity through solar power. To construct and operate a solar park, however, it needed additional support from companies like GLS. The project built a solar plant that covers 140 hectares of land and supplies 416,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy to the grid annually. That saves 408,420 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Wind energy in Bhatel, India
The Indian state of Gujarat is heavily agricultural, and its power grid is dominated by fossil fuels. We support a wind energy project that not only reduces the state’s dependence on fossil fuels but also hits several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for improving the lives of locals. Stable power and long-term employment in an area dominated by short-term contracts make a local improvement, whilst the project saves around 145,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.
Wind energy in Naranpar, India
120 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 252 MW generate 556,508 MWh per year for the Indian energy grid. This amount of electricity would otherwise have been produced using fossil fuels. This increases the power supply, helping to close the region's energy gap. Further, the wind power project promotes sustainable development through new long-term employment opportunities, combined with various training sessions for all employees.
ThinkSocial
The people who work at and for GLS have different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, religions and beliefs. Appreciation, respect and understanding are important principles for the Group when dealing with employees and partners. Intensive communication with all who make the last mile for GLS when picking up and delivering parcels is an essential part of the cooperation.
The development of our employees is a crucial part of the GLS strategy, with which the Group aims to ensure long-term success for the company and its employees.
In addition, management and employees attach importance to helping people in need. Throughout Europe, GLS companies support carefully selected initiatives in their social environment.
GLS is also involved in sponsoring sports teams and activities. In some cases, these sponsorship projects are also combined with a socially engaged angle.
Training and professional development
GLS is committed to the training and development of the next generation. Young people receive comprehensive and practice-oriented vocational training. Furthermore, the GLS Group offers its employees the opportunity to develop professionally and, if possible, to take up management positions.
Social activities
Many GLS subsidiaries support various charities through national and regional activities, see below for some examples.
In Austria, our colleagues support the House Miriam of Caritas in Vienna, a refuge for women in need. Since 2018, GLS Belgium has supported the Homeless Cup, a football tournament for homeless people to help them reintegrate into society. Around 200 GLS employees participated in the Poland Business Run events, supporting amputation patients. GLS was not only a financial sponsor, but also offered free shipping services.
Sponsorship
GLS is also involved in sponsoring sports teams and activities. In some cases, these sponsorship projects are combined with a socially engaged angle. For example, GLS Belgium sponsors the Belgian national football team the Red Devils. Staff, partners and people with disabilities are invited to every home match of the team.
GLS Germany has been a sponsor of Borussia Dortmund since July 2021, making it an official logistics partner of BVB. GLS France has been a proud partner of current French Cup winner Toulouse FC since 2022.
Padel is the fastest growing sport in Spain and now the second most practised sport in the country. GLS Spain has sponsored the World Padel Tour (WPT) since March 2019 in the Transport and Logistics category.
For all sponsorship projects, click on the button below.
ThinkQuality
Our quality standards are not limited to transport services, but are interwoven into all business systems and processes. These high requirements and the increasing complexity have led GLS to develop a quality management system in line with ISO 9001:2015. It enables GLS to guarantee seamless internal processes and stable quality with regard to our services.
ISO certification
GLS guarantees, checks and improves quality and sustainability with a pan-European quality and environmental management system. It is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 by DEKRA, one of the largest and highly respected international providers of management system certifications. With the quality management system GLS fulfils high, internationally recognised standards.
Harmonised processes
European GLS-systems monitor every step in the process. Each day over 20 million registrations follow the 1,7 milllion shipped consignments. An extensive data and information management systeem is therefore essential and constitutes an important pillar in our partnership and trust. Other components of our quality control are a well organised customer service, regular customer surveys and special training programmes.