Why and how to make Supply Chain buildings more sustainable?

Expert opinion

Marc ESPOSITO, Innovation Director of GSE
Published on:
Updated on:

The logistics building, an efficient building in essence…. but an image to restore

Logistics buildings don't get a good press. Seen as vulgar “shoe boxes” which consume a lot of land, distort the landscape and generate new heavy goods vehicle traffic, it is not surprising. And yet, the evolution of consumption patterns and the recent pandemic have shown to what extent they have become necessary to our way of life.

In reality, logistics buildings are intrinsically among the best buildings in terms of energy and environment. The main reason for this is their size and volume…. or more precisely their compactness (ratio between their exterior wall surface and their volume). The compactness of a logistics building is traditionally 2 to 4 times better than housing or other tertiary buildings. The consequence is threefold virtuous: less heat loss, fewer construction products used and therefore a less carbon-intensive (and less expensive) built surface area per m². In addition, since most of the surface area is reserved for the storage of “non-perishable” products, the need for heating or lighting is generally low. Logistics buildings are therefore naturally the least energy consuming buildings in the French real estate portfolio, as shown (Sustainable Real Estate Observatory)

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Source : 2021 barometer of the environmental energy performance of buildings

Logistics buildings, exemplary in terms of environmental certifications.

Since the beginning of the 2010s, Supply Chain buildings have made immense efforts to be increasingly environmentally virtuous and have quickly opted for environmental certifications audited by independent third parties.

We can in particular cite the “Logistics platform” standard for NF HQE certification which was put in place in 2009 and which quickly attracted all new logistics construction. Today, more than 80% of new logistics spaces built obtain one of the main environmental certifications for buildings (HQE, BREEAM, LEED) and the level of these certifications continues to improve, as demonstrated for example by the first platforms BREEAM Outstanding or LEED Platinum logistics systems which have been launched since 2020 in Europe, i.e. the highest possible level of these certifications.

The trend is now towards double certification with logistics buildings which combine one (or more) certifications with more specific environmental labels. We can cite the first BEPOS Effinergie 2017 logistics platforms (positive energy building of the E+C- standard) or the Biodivercity label which now complements BREEAM or HQE certification to promote the ecological aspect of the site.

All these certifications and environmental labels provide an objective framework for constructing buildings that go beyond environmental regulations.

New environmental issues

But given the new environmental issues at stake, certain certifications are no longer enough. Indeed, the fight against global warming or the mass extinction of species can no longer wait, even when the measurement indicators or standards are not yet very clear. This is why the logistics sector has, through the members of the AFILOG association, made very strong commitments in its COMMITMENT CHARTER […] TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF FRENCH LOGISTICS REAL ESTATE, signed in July 2021.

This charter now proposes very concrete action commitments to reduce carbon and promote biodiversity in new logistics buildings. Among the most emblematic measures, we find the total coverage of roofs by photovoltaic power plants, the establishment of a carbon calculation benchmark for logistics buildings with a view to achieving neutrality from 2040 or the installation of rural hedges to promote biodiversity on at least half of the periphery of logistics sites.

This charter, in my opinion, demonstrates the desire to act concretely, effectively, and move away from greenwashing which can sometimes be criticized for certain certifications. The actions are concrete (therefore easy to apply) and have been chosen with environmental experts to be as effective as possible. Obviously they have a significant financial impact... which must be accepted by investors.

Strong innovation potential in environmental innovation

The two biggest environmental issues of the century are probably the fight against global warming and the loss of habitats for fauna and flora.

So of course, the solution of no longer building is undoubtedly the best for the environment…. Probably not for humans! Finally, rather than seeing logistics buildings as an environmental problem, why not see them as an opportunity?

First of all, the opportunity to reuse large industrial wastelands and give them meaning again, particularly near large cities where there is sorely no space for last kilometer logistics. Then, an opportunity to make very large areas available for the production of renewable energy. Logistics buildings undoubtedly represent the largest roof surfaces and now, owners are making them compatible with the installation of photovoltaics. Note that there are also large VL and HGV parking spaces on these sites, which can also be used on existing sites. Finally, ICPE regulations require property lines set back from buildings. Rather than seeing this as increased land consumption, let's see it as an opportunity to treat and promote biodiversity in green spaces. It is not uncommon for 30 % of the surface area of a logistics site to be made up of green spaces... potential refuges for local fauna and flora.

Finally, logistics sites are the obligatory passage for many heavy goods vehicles... and precisely, after the construction sector, it is transport that generates the most carbon. How can we then not see the opportunity to combine the production of renewable energy at logistics sites with the decarbonization of transport? Production and electric recharging of vehicles initially, then production and recharging of green hydrogen for future heavy goods vehicles which will see the light of day during this decade: so many opportunities to make the Supply Chain greener and therefore more acceptable for a population which has, through its consumption patterns, already made it essential.


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