Sustainable logistics leaders: An interview with Tom Jenkins, Europa Worldwide Group

At Europa Worldwide Group, sustainability is not just a buzzword but a core principle embedded within their business strategy. Pledge Content Lead, Greg Herz, spoke with Tom Jenkins, Central Service Director at Europa Worldwide, to discuss how the business is navigating the challenging landscape of sustainable logistics and the pivotal role that Pledge plays in its sustainability journey.

Greg: Hi Tom, it’s great to see you again. Let’s get started with the first question: How big of a challenge is transitioning transport and logistics to more sustainable ways of working?

Tom: Hi Greg. Thank you for having me here today. It's a massive challenge for the industry. Transport and logistics are inherently energy-intensive, with a significant carbon footprint. Right now, heavy diesel trucks dominate operations, but as technology evolves, more sustainable options are becoming available. It's a significant transition, but one that's necessary for the future of the industry. We're in the early stages, but the momentum is building.

Greg: To what extent would you say sustainability is a core principle within your overall business strategy?

Tom: Sustainability is central to our strategy, though it's not without its challenges. We've trialled EV (electric vehicle) trucks in partnership with clients and actually, it's worked, especially for collections and deliveries in Central London. But while these trials have been successful, it’s still very cost-prohibitive at the moment. We’re also exploring insetting and currently working with a select few customers to provide that service for HVO100 - Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil. This renewable diesel is derived from waste and residue materials, such as used cooking oil, animal fats and plant-based oils, and provides up to 90% CO2 reduction compared with standard Diesel. Overall, we're fully committed to reducing our emissions and supporting our customers with their carbon reduction objectives too.

Greg: It sounds like you've already made some significant strides. Could you elaborate on any specific certifications or achievements that highlight your commitment?

Tom: Absolutely. We recently achieved our ISO 14001 (Environmental management systems) and ISO 50001 (Energy management) certifications, which demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future. Our operational model is designed to be super-efficient, minimising emissions through optimal routing and maximum trailer utilisation. Additionally, we're investing in telematics through Microlise to optimise fleet performance and drive behavioural improvements. This kind of data-driven approach is helping us make meaningful progress.

Greg: Can you describe any specific initiatives that you're undertaking to become a more sustainable freight forwarder?

Tom: Sure, our ISO 14001 certification for environmental management provides a solid framework to enhance our environmental credentials, but also the ISO 50001 for energy management helps us measure, monitor and reduce energy consumption across the group.

We've implemented waste segregation at both operational and office sites, recycling 79% of our waste. We're appointing sustainability champions at these sites to drive these initiatives further. Our facilities feature energy-efficient technologies like smart lighting and LED lights, which we monitor as part of our ISO framework.

We're also actively exploring solar energy options for our warehouses. Last year wasn't the right time for us, but we're confident about moving forward with solar soon. Additionally, we’ve started purchasing green energy and plan to continue with that. We're also trialling EVs for our sales team in Belgium, with plans to expand that further if it’s successful. Other initiatives we have implemented include rainwater harvesting, offering EVs as company cars and a cycle-to-work scheme.

Greg: That's impressive! So, moving on to how you're helping your customers with their carbon reporting. What led you to find Pledge?

Tom: Ten years ago, we started getting inquiries from customers about measuring their emissions and we found ways to provide them enough of what they needed. But as time went on and those customers wanted a deeper level of granularity, we realised that we needed something robust, credible and underpinned by a proper framework like the GLEC (Global Logistics Emissions Council) framework. That’s when we came across Pledge who seemed to be providing exactly what we needed.

Greg: Great, so how does Pledge directly contribute to Europa’s sustainability goals?

Tom: Well, as an integral part of our customers' supply chains, we know that legislation due to come into force or that’s already in place will require our customers to report the emissions from the transportation of their goods. Pledge enables us to provide accurate and accredited emissions reports to customers, which is crucial due to these increasing legislative demands. This aids both our and our customers' sustainability goals.

Greg: It sounds like Pledge is crucial for compliance and transparency. How do you find using the platform?

Tom: The platform is straightforward and really clear, allowing us to extract and report the data our customers need reliably. A big thing we’re conscious of is the need to avoid greenwashing — I think it’s a real concern for many in the industry when it comes to the conversation about sustainability. The transparency and credibility Pledge provides is essential for us to make sure we’re not inadvertently greenwashing and that we meet the stringent environmental standards we’re aiming for. With Pledge, we can report our customers' emissions at the touch of a button, ensuring accuracy and confidence in the data we provide.

Greg: How do you see Pledge supporting Europa Worldwide in the future as its sustainability strategy scales?

Tom: With new legislation like CSRD (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), we expect more customers will need to report their scope 3 emissions.

To meet this demand, we plan to fully integrate Pledge into our Transport Management System (TMS) Leonardo, allowing customers to access and run carbon reports on their shipments seamlessly. We also see insetting becoming a significant part of our sustainability strategy. At the moment, we’re working with Pledge and a select number of clients to provide insetting with HVO, and we aim to expand this capability over the next few years. This integration will give our existing customers confidence in our sustainability efforts, helping us retain their business while attracting new customers committed to environmental responsibility.

Setting the standard: Europa Worldwide's leadership in sustainable logistics

Europa Worldwide's proactive approach to decarbonising its operations showcases its commitment to being a sustainability leader in logistics. Through innovative solutions and strategic initiatives, Europa Worldwide is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also setting a benchmark in the logistics industry for sustainable practices.

To find out how Pledge can help your forwarding business win new customers and gain a competitive advantage, sign up for your 14-day free trial.