Lean & Green was started in 2008 as an initiative of the Dutch Ministry for Infrastructure and Environment to reduce the carbon footprints of companies. Today, Lean & Green Europe is Europe's leading community for sustainable logistics. Lean & Green Europe combines corporate responsibility for reducing footprints with continuous improvement of operational performance and value for customers.

“Since its beginnings in 1970, Cargolux Airlines is known as a pioneer in the airfreight industry, constantly exploring new markets; new, innovative products and new ways of pushing the boundaries of this industry,” says Dirk Reich, President & CEO of Cargolux Airlines. “Now, true to its pioneering spirit, Cargolux is the first airline worldwide to achieve the Lean & Green award. As the Global Cargo Carrier of Choice, we are very proud to lead the field once more and hope we can encourage others in our industry to follow. Our customers and logistics partners, the major forwarders of this world, are well aware of the Lean & Green program and appreciate our efforts. Being Lean & Green certainly gives Cargolux a competitive advantage and underlines our commitment to always deliver the highest service excellence.”

Until recently, logistics was perceived as a low-skilled industry associated with a history of emissions and noise pollution. Due to the rapid introduction of green technologies, advanced automation, software systems and high tech advances in warehousing and tracking systems, as well as more collaboration in the supply chain, this perception is now outdated.

“For the aviation industry, measures like bundling goods are a challenge. The Luxembourg airline Cargolux successfully faced this challenge,” notes Lean & Green Europe.