Social, societal and environmental issues are today at the heart of the problems of the economic sustainability of companies. The question of “Corporate Social Responsibility”, that is to say Sustainable Development actions in the group's strategy, has emerged in a structured manner since the beginning of the 1990s.
As a subsidiary at 100% of Deutsch Bahn, a state enterprise where the notion of CSR is central, DB Schenker, world leader in the field of transport and logistics, recognizes its social responsibility by reaffirming its commitment to an approach to excellence with a view to becoming exemplary in responsible environmental, social and economic matters. Our organization supports SMEs and large groups in their freight mobility choices where the Environmental concept now challenges the historical triptych Cost/Quality/Delay. The company is, therefore, aware of the importance of having an integrated network of global “green” dimension for the satisfaction of its customers, remaining competitive and preserving its competitive advantage through CSR. This commitment is an integral part of the Group’s “DB 2020+” strategy, which aims to be a profitable (quality) leader, top employer and environmental pioneer. Our Sustainable Development management system applies to all of our activities and is based on the continuous improvement of our processes.
As Director of CSR at DB Schenker France & North Africa (with thirty years of experience in the field of transport and logistics at all levels of the organization), my mission is to support the transformation of our “economic model” in order to reduce our negative externalities measured in our materiality analysis based on the DGITM Logistics CSR benchmark (Attractiveness, Biodiversity, Local Pollutant, Greenhouse Gas, Noise, Waste, etc.).
The role of a CSR department is to be able to intervene both hierarchically and mainly functionally within an organization and thus boost the membership process in areas related to environmental, ethical and social aspects. , societal, governance… and therefore economic with all stakeholders.
For example, and more concretely, on the environmental issue, the DB group has defined a reduction objective of -50 % of its Greenhouse Gases by 2030 (Base 100 = 2006).
More broadly, our CSR approach is to:
- always act in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Anxious to act in a committed manner, we take actions that go beyond these requirements and to continually update our knowledge and expertise.
- pay particular attention to reduce environmental impacts from our own and subcontracted activities. We place at the top of our priorities the evaluation, monitoring and reduction of our emissions, our energy consumption and our waste production.
- prioritize human capital such as well-being at work, training and diversity which are our major assets at the heart of our priorities. The development of our employees is the vector of our value creation.
- rely on the responsibility and involvement of each of our stakeholders whether economic (customers, suppliers, etc.), societal (associations, local residents, etc.) or organizational (employees, unions, etc.). We work in close collaboration with them, acting in all circumstances in compliance with our ethical principles.
In a very concrete way, we have in 11 cities in France, namely Rennes, Nantes, Angers, Lorient, Saint Malo, Bordeaux, Chartres, Strasbourg, Lille, Le Touquet and Amiens, set up last meter deliveries by eVélo-cargo ( 250 Watt) in partnership with Triporteurs de l’Ouest. With more than 8,000 shipments delivered per month, we intend to further develop this carbon-free transport solution in 5 cities at the start of 2020 to ultimately reach 10 % of our volumes through this type of “green” solution.
For our last km deliveries by truck in the city centers of Ile de France from Gennevilliers (Hauts de Seines) and Rungis (Val de Marne) we have installed two 7.5t electric heavy-duty vehicles. , FUSO eCanter, designed by Mitsubishi Trucks, from the heavy-duty division of the German group Daimler AG, parent company of the manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. DB Schenker is therefore the first carrier in France to have acquired and put into circulation this type of vehicle after its launch in 2017 in the USA. The latter have a relatively modest range of between 97 and 129 kilometers between two full charges. They are mainly intended for urban use with short distances, with regard to the price/cost of use compared to a thermal engine vehicle.
On the other hand, DB Schenker is absolutely convinced that our research and innovation is exclusively at the service of Sustainable Development (CSR). The transition will only be achieved with partnerships such as the one anchored with SprintProject, where we are collectively able to develop new solutions.
Finally, even if we are not required to publish a CSR report under the Grenelle II law of 2010, DB Schenker, nevertheless produced one (in French and English), in order to report on actions undertaken in the social and environmental field around the themes of climate change, renewable energies, anti-money laundering and fraud policy, transparency of information , prevention of occupational risks, fight against discrimination, recycling of waste, reduction of greenhouse gases, etc.
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