The Lean and Green label project was launched in June 2014 and specifically applies to companies of the logistics industry which are willing to adopt a genuine green approach. Candidates commit to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 20% over 5 years, which entails identifying CO2 emission sources and drawing up a detailed action plan comprising relevant key performance indicators.

“With 9,000 freight handling operations representing 725,000 tonnes of air freight completed in 2014, with our Pharma and Healthcare Hub offering 3,000 sqm of temperature-controlled areas, we chose to develop an action plan based on an optimised infrastructure management and on an improved staff awareness programme” says Laurent Jossart, EVP LuxairCARGO. In this regard, the division’s electrical energy purchasing agreement has recently been converted to 100% renewable energy sources and thus all electricity-driven handling equipment such as technical vehicles, the automated ULD (unit loader device) storage stacker system, the aircraft ground power appliances and all the lighting of the apron, warehouse, truck parking and offices for example are now powered by green energy. LuxairCARGO’s investment plan includes the implementation of a state of the art cold production system, of a LED lighting concept for the warehouse as well as of a new heating installation running on natural gas. Moreover, a team of experts, which is constantly monitoring the technical infrastructure and the energy consumption, keeps LuxairCARGO staff updated about the latest innovations available on the market to run the CargoCenter in the most responsible way.

LuxairCARGO is one of the first four companies in Luxembourg to be certified “Lean & Green”, just one year after the label was launched. Environmental efforts undertaken within the Lean and Green context have been rewarded but LuxairCARGO strives to further enhance its actions to reduce its carbon footprint. Even though the ground handling activity represents only a minor part of the energy consumed in the air cargo supply chain, this program also does help environment-minded carriers to reduce their emissions per transported ton.