GLS Group sets a clear direction for its decarbonisation efforts
GLS Group has announced that its CO₂ reduction targets have been approved by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi Services Limited, London) after a thorough review.
As part of this commitment, GLS Group has set both near-term and long-term targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aligned with the latest scientific standards. The SBTi has officially confirmed that these science-based targets meet its requirements and are consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This validation confirms GLS’ plan to achieve net-zero by 2045, reinforcing the company’s role in addressing climate change and contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.
Dr. Karl Pfaff, Chief Executive of GLS Group, commented: “Receiving the SBTi’s approval for our emission reduction targets is a significant achievement for GLS. It highlights our proactive approach to environmental responsibility and our dedication to implementing decarbonised practices across our operations.”
Robert Groh, Corporate Environment & Climate Strategy Director, added: “The validation of our targets by the SBTi marks a great milestone. It sets a clear direction for our decarbonisation efforts and provides a robust framework to guide us forward. Reducing our total GHG emissions by 90% by 2045, compared to 2021 levels, will require consistent commitment to innovation, tackling technological challenges and building strong, reliable partnerships. Our environmental strategy brings together our efforts to global climate protection activities.”
GLS’ group-wide environmental strategy guides the company’s efforts to meet its SBTs. As road transportation accounts for the majority of GLS’ carbon emissions (90% in calendar year 2024), the strategy focuses on transforming the predominantly subcontracted transportation fleet to zero- and low-emission vehicles. The company aims to have 50% of the transport fleet to be zero- and low-emission by 2030, and by 2035 100% of new transport vehicles will be zero- and low-emission vehicles3. By end of December 2024, 6,600 of such vehicles are already in the GLS network.
To support this transformation, GLS entities are investing in infrastructure upgrades, including electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems at its depots and hubs. At the end of December 2024, GLS Group locations featured 4,000 charging points, and 80% of GLS-operated sites in Europe are already powered by renewable electricity. GLS Group’s ambition is to increase the share of consumed renewable electricity to 100% by 2030.
GLS’ science-based targets as officially approved by the SBTi:
Overall Net-Zero Target: General Logistics Systems B.V. commits to reach net-zero1greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2045.
Near-Term Targets: General Logistics Systems B.V. commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42.0% by 2030 from a 2021 base year.* General Logistics Systems B.V. also commits to reduce well-to-wheel scope 3 GHG emissions from light commercial vehicles covering upstream transportation and distribution 36.9% per ton-kilometer within the same timeframe.* General Logistics Systems B.V. further commits to reduce well-to-wheel scope 3 GHG emissions from heavy freight trucks covering upstream transportation and distribution 31.7% per ton-kilometer within the same timeframe.*
Long-Term Targets: General Logistics Systems B.V. commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by 2045 from a 2021 base year.3 General Logistics Systems B.V. also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% within the same timeframe.*
*The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
GLS’s science-based targets are published on the SBTi target dashboard under “General Logistics Systems B.V.”.
