Experts point to innovation as the key to promoting a more sustainable logistics sector

• Electric vehicles, alternative fuels or encouraging the use of renewable energies are some of the measures that will promote a more responsible logistics activity.
• According to David Martinez, Founder and CEO of ProEquity,"Investment in new technologies is crucial to promote a more responsible and sustainable supply chain."

Madrid, August 21, 2023. We find ourselves in a society that is increasingly aware of the importance of caring for the environment and minimising our environmental impact. Taking into account this new paradigm, it is the duty of the logistics sector to internalise these values and make a real and lasting impact on achieving a more sustainable activity. With this in mind, the leading logistics operations consultancy, Proequity, reminds us that, in order to achieve coherent and responsible development, implementing new technological solutions and innovative practices that manage to optimise operations and reduce the environmental impact in the supply chain must be among the priorities of new logistics projects.

A clear example of some of these measures is the use of electric and alternative fuel vehicles, especially in intra-city delivery. This is an increasingly common trend in the sector which, in addition to reducing emissions of polluting gases, contributes to improving air quality and reducing the carbon footprint.

On the other hand, experts from the consultancy firm point to the development of renewable energy systems and smart storage solutions that optimise energy consumption in warehouses and distribution centres. In this line, the installation of solar pallets in logistics warehouses can be a great way to boost the energy efficiency of the assets and, with that, of the sector in general.

By addressing environmental challenges and improving operational efficiency, companies are reducing costs, optimising resources and ultimately improving the supply chain. As we move towards greater environmental awareness and increased demand for efficiency in the industry, it is critical that innovative solutions and new technologies continue to be adopted and promoted. “Investment in new technologies is crucial for a more responsible and sustainable supply chain”, explains David Martínez, CEO of Proequity, “and it is also the duty of companies responsible for new projects to be up-to-date and in line with the values of efficiency and sustainability in order to make a real and positive impact on our environmento”, he concldes.

Sustainability certificates: a priority for new green projects  

In line with the sector's need to promote an increasingly environmentally friendly activity, certificates that ensure the level of efficiency and sustainability of a property is another point to highlight.

There are several examples of certifications that guarantee the efficiency of a building, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certificates. These are quality seals that are awarded to buildings to accredit their efficiency based on their impact on the environment and their ability to provide a healthy environment for their occupants. For this purpose, different aspects are evaluated, from the sustainable location of the building to the parameters that make up the infrastructure. LEED certificates are divided into four levels of sustainability: LEED Certification, LEED Silver, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum, the latter being the highest rated.

For its part, the well-known BREEAM® (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) is a method for evaluating and certifying sustainability in construction, considered to be the most advanced in the world. Currently, all buildings in Spain are certified exclusively through this method, thus recognising those constructions that are sustainable in terms of savings, health and the environment, both for the surroundings and for those who live in the building.

«Ensuring the efficiency, safety and sustainability of logistics warehouses brings important benefits for the sector. In addition to reducing costs in the long term, it increases the interest of potential buyers and tenants, ensuring a higher profitability of the project.”, says David Martínez, CEO of Proequity.