NAVIGATING THE UK LOGISTICS WORKFORCE

Align with What Matters

Start by mapping your goals to high-impact areas within your operation, typically including carbon emissions, energy use, packaging waste, vehicle fleet efficiency, and warehouse energy performance. For instance, your goals might include:

• Achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040
• Transitioning 50% of your fleet to electric or low-emission vehicles by 2030
• Reducing warehouse energy consumption by 25% over five years

Linking goals to government targets, such as the UK’s 2050 Net Zero mandate or incoming MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) compliance requirements, ensures your strategy remains relevant.

Use A Phased, Realistic Approach

Set interim milestones to show progress and retain momentum. For example:

• Short term (1–2 years): Switch warehouse lighting to LED, introduce solar panels
• Medium term (3–5 years): Transition half the delivery fleet to electric
• Long term (6–10 years): Achieve full electrification of last-mile logistics and BREEAM Excellent warehouse certification

These goals should be ambitious yet achievable. Setting unrealistic targets risks stakeholder disengagement and greenwashing allegations.

Measuring and Report on ESG Performance

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. That’s why robust ESG data tracking and transparent reporting are critical to demonstrating progress and building trust.

Select the Right ESG KPIS

ESG metrics will vary by business size, structure, and industry niche, but typical logistics KPIs might include:

• Carbon emissions per delivery mile
• Energy usage per square metre of warehouse space
• Number of deliveries made using electric or low-emission vehicles
• Percentage of recycled or reusable packaging materials used
• Employee engagement in sustainability initiatives

The use of smart sensors, WMS, and energy management systems can support real-time tracking and reporting.

Embrace Standards and Frameworks

Adopt recognised ESG reporting frameworks such as:

• TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
• GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
• SBTi (Science-Based Targets initiative)
• SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting)

These provide consistency, credibility, and comparability, especially when pitching to large clients or seeking investment.

Warehouses using platforms like OPEX^® RPM^® (Remote Performance Monitor) software can track machine efficiency, power consumption, and availability to improve their ESG data accuracy while supporting continuous optimisation.

Engaging Employees and Stakeholders in Sustainability Initiatives

Embedding ESG principles starts from the inside out. Top-down mandates only go so far if your people aren’t on board. Engaged employees are more likely to contribute ideas, adopt new processes, and champion your sustainability goals.

Educate and Empower

Provide clear guidance and training on your ESG strategy. Offer workshops on sustainable warehouse practices, fleet decarbonisation, and responsible procurement. Recognise that not every team member is an environmental expert, and that’s okay. Tailor training to make sustainability relevant to their role.

Consider creating ESG ‘champions’ across departments to foster peer-to-peer engagement and drive local initiatives, such as recycling schemes or energy audits.

Build Accountability

Tie ESG performance to departmental goals and encourage cross-functional collaboration. For example, warehouse operations and procurement teams can collaborate to select more environmentally friendly packaging and minimise return-related waste.

Encourage staff to propose improvements and highlight sustainability achievements in internal communications.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Suppliers, partners, and even customers can help amplify your ESG goals. Engage key supply chain partners early in your strategy and set shared sustainability expectations. Consider joint pilot projects, such as low-emission delivery lanes or closed-loop packaging schemes.

Logistics providers and 3PLs like Bleckmann have already shown how RFID-integrated sorting systems can double efficiency and support greener last-mile operations.

Incorporating Sustainability Into Procurement and Supply Chain Relationships

Green procurement is fast becoming the backbone of ESG in logistics. Your operation is only as sustainable as the materials you source and the partners you rely on.

Establish Sustainable Procurement Policies

Start with a supplier code of conduct that includes ESG criteria, such as:

• Carbon reporting and reduction plans
• Labour practices and ethical sourcing
• Packaging minimisation and recyclability
• Product lifecycle assessments

Include these standards in RFPs and contract negotiations to ensure alignment from the outset.

Collaborate for Circularity

Look for opportunities to co-create circular supply chain solutions. For example:

• Use returnable totes and containers
• Design for reuse or minimal packaging
• Partner with vendors offering end-of-life take-back schemes Automation can also play a role here. Systems like Sure Sort® X with Xtract™ allow precise sortation and takeaway, reducing the need for manual reboxing and excess packaging.

Prioritise Local and Low-Impact Suppliers

Sourcing locally reduces transport emissions and supports UK industry resilience. Consider including “miles travelled” and sustainable transport options in your procurement evaluations.

Making ESG a Competitive Advantage

While regulatory pressure around ESG is increasing, it also presents a significant opportunity. Businesses that proactively integrate ESG into their logistics operations stand to benefit from: