Responsible logistics for a sustainable future

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.

Expansive aerial view of a modern logistics hub surrounded by green landscapes and water bodies.
Expansive aerial view of a modern logistics hub surrounded by green landscapes and water bodies.

Adopting a holistic vision of sustainability

As a sustainable logistics provider, our vision is to be a key enabler in our customers’ decarbonization strategies. By focusing on three pillars – planet, people and profit – we create more sustainable operations, innovative customer solutions and a workplace that empowers and supports our team to thrive.

Through our focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, we drive meaningful change across all areas of our operations. These principles guide our commitment to reducing environmental impact, fostering social responsibility and ensuring strong, ethical leadership.

Explore how our engagement in each ESG pillar drives our mission and join us in creating a more sustainable future for the logistics industry and beyond!

Environmental

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges our planet faces. The longer we put off committing to more sustainable practices, the worse difficulties we may face – but solutions are already being developed.

At Rhenus, we act decisively by reducing emissions, creating low-carbon solutions, and turning ESG data into impactful results – all with a clear commitment to achieving net zero by 2045.

To reach this goal, we empower our employees to drive progress in sustainability, fostering positive change for a healthier planet and stronger communities.

Net zero by 2045 is not just a goal – it is the legacy we are building. We concentrate all our efforts on optimizing supply chains, improving emissions efficiency and embedding sustainability in everything we do.
Jacek Dudkiewicz
Chief Sustainability Officer | Rhenus Group

Driving sustainability throughout the supply chain

Airplane in the blue sky

Sustainable aviation

We drive sustainable aviation with initiatives like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and RHEGREEN for CO₂-efficient aircraft selection. The Transport Mode Optimizer assesses costs, timelines and emissions, prioritizing sustainability when choosing vehicles. EcotransIT, accredited by the Smart Freight Centre, analyzes freight energy for exact calculations of CO₂ emissions. Collaborations such as Clean Cargo further reduce emissions, aligning with global standards like the GLEC Framework and EN 16258.

Cargo barge loaded with gravel traveling along a tree-lined canal on a sunny day.

Sustainable shipping

We promote sustainable shipping with motor vessels and barges featuring hydrogen propulsion or battery packs alongside Euro Stage VI engines, with options for 100% emission-free fuel cells. Additionally, efficient Euro Stage V engines enhance the overall impact of our transports. Accredited under the GLEC Framework, EcotransIT calculates freight emissions in line with EN 16258 and ISO 14083. Collaborations like Clean Cargo and the Transport Mode Optimizer support sustainable shipping practices.

White logistics truck with 'Together with Passion' branding parked at a warehouse dock, seen through an open garage door.

Sustainable overland transport

Driving sustainable overland transport, Rhenus integrates alternative drives, e.g. e-trucks, CNG, LNG and biodiesel vehicles, into its fleet. To ensure reliability, Rhenus is actively expanding a robust charging infrastructure. Combined with tools like EcotransIT to monitor emissions and smart technologies such as the ITC Pro Fill level sensor, Rhenus reduces CO₂ emissions, optimizes routes and enhances efficiency – taking meaningful steps toward a less carbonized logistics network.

Aerial view of a logistics facility with a sleek, modern design and solar-panel-covered rooftop, located near a highway.

Sustainable locations

With pioneering projects in Dortmund, Wesel, Tilburg, Prague and Nuneaton, Rhenus underlines its commitment to sustainable logistics. 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 like BREEAM “Outstanding” for multiple sites highlight that sustainability is not just a goal but a fundamental part of our approach to building and operating.

Social

Rhenus is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion within our organization. We believe embracing diverse perspectives enriches our workplace and drives innovation and success.

We strive for a workforce that reflects diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and perspectives, with a strong commitment to hiring and promoting underrepresented groups. Within our inclusive work environment, we aspire to ensure that every employee feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute uniquely.

To achieve this, we implement initiatives that promote inclusivity at all levels, including training to raise awareness of prejudice and encourage respectful interaction. By prioritizing inclusion, we enhance employee satisfaction and drive collaboration and innovation.

Sustainability starts with people. By putting our employees at the center of our decisions, we create not only a better working environment, but also a sustainable future for all.
Lydia Weimer
Head of Group HR Sustainability | Rhenus Group

Key components for diversity and inclusion

Initiatives by and for employees play a central role in promoting inclusion and a stronger workforce. We actively support underrepresented groups and promote the personal well-being of all. Our internal networks are a platform for sharing experiences and a sign of a vibrant, inclusive corporate culture. These efforts ensure that all Rhenus employees feel valued and can fully realize their potential.

To promote a future where everyone can realize their full potential is central to the philosophy at Rhenus. We believe that investing in our employees’ development enhances individual performance. Their unique skills are a prerequisite to our collective success. That is why we cherish the diversity of talents within our organization, treating every employee with respect. Together, we create a supportive work environment that nurtures individuals and their talent.

At Rhenus, we are dedicated to supporting internal career paths as a cornerstone of our success. By offering clear advancement opportunities, we empower our talents to grow. Key initiatives include personalized career development plans as well as mentorship programs and skill development workshops to encourage mobility and prepare employees for future roles. We believe enabling teams to achieve their aspirations means creating a culture of growth and long-term engagement.

To foster our employees’ growth, we’ve established “RhenusONE”, an internal academy for gaining and exchanging knowledge. Inclusive by design, the program offers resources for everyone and is regularly expanded to meet our workforce’s diverse needs. RhenusONE provides a robust framework for career management, empowering employees to align professional growth with personal aspirations and organizational goals. In doing so, we cultivate a culture of continuous learning that benefits everyone.

As a global company, we are aware of our responsibility to the communities in which we operate. For us, community engagement is not just a buzzword, but a central component of our corporate philosophy. We believe that sustainable success goes hand in hand with strengthening local communities.

Governance

To reconcile impeccable service with responsible action, Rhenus is implementing extensive measures and goals to create a strong governance framework. Governance at Rhenus aims to uphold lawfulness, ethics and accountability for our actions. We adhere to strict regulations to prevent corruption, manage risks responsibly and encourage responsible action in every critical situation or case of conflict of interest.

In doing so, Rhenus is committed to upholding a culture of transparency, promoting human rights and trade laws and ensuring sustainable conduct across all operations.

The Rhenus Group’s commitment and ratings

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 2023, the Rhenus Group achieved EcoVadis Gold 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.

Rhenus commitment to the SDGs

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.

The four main Rhenus SDGs

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:

  • Focus on people and their motivation to work safely
  • Act proactively in close coordination even before an accident happens
  • Foster a culture of learning from mistakes
  • Create safe, intuitive work environments

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 pioneering sustainable 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 prioritize delivering the most sustainable transport and supply chain solutions to our customers. We also focus on operating eco-friendly logistics properties and advancing alternative drive technologies to reduce our environmental impact.

Rhenus drives climate action by advancing e-mobility and reducing reliance on diesel, with over 500 alternative drive vehicles in operation. We actively explore and implement sustainable technologies like electric, hydrogen and LNG-powered trucks. Additionally, our RHEGREEN CO2 calculation tool empowers customers to select the most efficient and eco-friendly aircraft for their airfreight shipments. Beyond transport, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions by optimizing existing properties and constructing eco-friendly warehouses.