January 6, 2025 – At CTS GROUP, we are proudly taking steps toward more sustainable transport. The first and second Lean & Green stars show that we are on the right track, and our focus is now on the third star. Achieving this goal requires focus, collaboration, and commitment. We have already made significant progress, but the closer we get to the third star, the greater the challenges become.

What does the third star mean?

Lean & Green is a European program that challenges companies to structurally make their logistics processes more sustainable. The program has multiple levels (stars), with each additional star demonstrating that a company achieves measurable results in CO2 reduction.

The third Lean & Green star is an acknowledgment for companies that have once again achieved demonstrable CO2 reduction. Within a maximum period of two years, a company must show that it has reduced CO2 emissions by at least 5% on top of the reduction achieved for the second Lean & Green star. This is not only about making sustainable choices, but especially about supporting them with verifiable, demonstrable data. Achieving this star shows that sustainability is embedded in the company’s operations and underlines the ongoing commitment to CO2 reduction.

How are we progessing?

As a logistics service provider, we are actively working to make our operations more sustainable—an essential step toward achieving our 2030 CO2 reduction targets. In 2021, we earned our second Lean & Green star, recognizing the significant strides we had made in lowering our CO2 emissions. Since then, we have continued to optimize our processes: increasing our use of the fossil-free fuel HVO100, improving planning, and electrifying our fleet.

We now have a solid foundation, but the third star demands more than just incremental improvements. It requires a detailed strategy, closer collaboration, and a clear view of CO2 reductions across our entire supply chain.

And this brings new challenges

One of the biggest challenges is obtaining reliable, complete, and actionable data. For the third star, we track CO2 emissions at the shipment level. It’s not just about what we do—it’s about how we can prove it. The data must be complete, accurate, and transparent, which takes careful coordination and collaboration, both internally and with our partners across the supply chain. We rely on multiple links in the logistics chain to make this work.

Technology is another key focus. Hydrogen and electric vehicles offer the main routes to greener transport, but they are not yet widely feasible for international groupage, which is our area of expertise. Electric trucks often lack the range for long-distance trips, charging stations are missing at key hubs, and new vehicles are costly and hard to obtain. We want to move forward, but it must also be practical and commercially viable.

Finally, customer expectations don’t always align with sustainability goals. The market demands speed, flexibility, and customization, which often means smaller shipments, tighter delivery windows, and dynamic planning. The faster a shipment must move, the harder it can be to maximize load efficiency and reduce emissions per shipment. Tight loading and unloading windows also impact the efficiency of our routes.

By working closely with our customers, we explore smarter logistics solutions—such as expanding pickup or delivery windows or combining shipments. Collaboration is essential to align operational expectations with our sustainability goals.

Looking ahead

Step by step, we continue to invest in sustainable logistics and innovation. We are expanding our European partner network to reduce ‘final mile’ kilometers, exploring the use of longer and more efficient vehicles such as LZVs, and investing in an energy-efficient facility.

In packaging, we are focusing on more sustainable alternatives: recycled materials, FSC-certified wood and cardboard, and reusable pallets and crates. We also provide customers with insight into the environmental impact of shipments, so we can operate smarter and more sustainably together.

With these initiatives, we are building a future where sustainable logistics is the norm. Every improvement, collaboration, and smart innovation brings us closer to the third Lean & Green star—and to a low-carbon, future-proof logistics chain.

Want to learn more about our sustainable approach? Read our sustainabile vision here!