LOGISTICS
GREEN
The aviation sector is constantly under the glare when the spotlight turns to matters
environmental. So exactly what is being done to make the cargo chain a greener
one? Alwyn Brice asks the question.
As the logistics industry
shows no signs of
any downturn, so its
participants are thinking more
and more about the bigger
picture. That bigger picture
involves an ever more effi cient
operation, on time delivery
– and meeting the demands
of those concerned about a
greener planet. Encouragingly,
the challenge has been taken
up by this sector and progress is
being made.
Targets set
Take global logistics provider
Agility, which has invested
US$18m in green supply chain
technologies as it pursues
an environmental strategy
to cut its 2025 emissions by
25% (compared with 2016
levels). The Kuwait-based
logistics and infrastructure fi rm
recently published its latest
sustainability report, Values
into Action, which outlines its
progress to date.
Agility has previously
committed to adopting
science-based targets for
greenhouse gas emissions
reduction and achieved third
party certifi cation for its
shipment emissions reporting.
To reach the 2025 emissions
reduction target, the company
is implementing renewable
energy pilots in large facilities
across the world. It is also
building to green standards,
as it adds over 300,000 square
metres of facilities to its
portfolio of warehousing and
light industrial facilities across
the Middle East and Africa.
To drive green
transformation across the
industry, its corporate venture
arm (Agility Ventures) has
made green technologies one
of its four core investment
areas. Agility’s Chairwoman,
Henadi Al-Saleh, commented
on the company’s philosophy.
“Green technology is a
major focus of our investment
strategy, and we’re always
on the lookout for dynamic
new businesses that can
revolutionise the supply chain
to help protect the planet.
We are looking at innovative
solutions that drive business
value by reducing costs,
www.airlogisticsinternational.com October 2019 43
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On an emission
increasing effi ciency, and
reducing energy consumption
at the same time.”
But it hasn’t been all about
the environment, as Agility’s
Chief Executive, Tarek Sultan,
mentions, saying that the
company had also striven to
set high standards for corporate
citizenship.
“We’ve invested heavily in
our human rights approach
over the years and tried to
lead by example, especially
in emerging markets. Our
community outreach
programme has helped more
than 1.6m people in need
and we’ve supported the
education of over 36,000
students around the world in
the last three years.
“In partnership with the
humanitarian community,
Agility has donated logistics
expertise and services to more
than 45 major humanitarian
operations, in countries ranging
from Indonesia to Peru.”
Tigers eyeing China
Meanwhile, in the African
continent, Tigers South Africa
We expect
the market for
renewable energy
to continue to
grow in the coming
years, and Tigers
is ready for the
demand
Paul Lawrence, Managing Director, Tigers
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