Hermes Releases Report on its Worldwide Sustainability Initiatives

CHICAGO - Aug. 25, 2015 - PRLog -- Hermes, operator of the largest 2C parcel shop network in Europe, announces the publication of its 2015 sustainability report, Networked Action. Published biennially, this year’s report reviews the Hermes Group's business, social and ecological achievements within the context of global trade in 2013 and 2014, and its ongoing initiatives. This is the logistics and retailing services provider's second progress report on sustainability, significantly expanding on its 2013 report. With the inclusion of Hermes UK (HUK) and Hermes-OTTO International, and the active involvement of key stakeholders in the Hermes Group’s sustainable strategies, the 2015 report meets the Level B Sustainability Reporting Standards set forth by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the first time.

Since its establishment in 1986, Hermes has continually expanded on its corporate commitment to sustainability – a pivotal reason for its long-term success in all aspects of social responsibility. In Networked Action, Hermes shares an overall positive trend in sustainable activities across its retail supply chain. Throughout the report, Hermes provides transparent insight into the challenges facing the company as a key services provider in the global e-commerce industry.

Frank Rausch, CEO of Hermes Logistik Gruppe Deutschland (HLGD) and Hermes Transport Logistics (HTL), said, “We are aware that economic growth in the context of our global expansion goes hand in hand with an increase in corporate responsibility. Given our active and leading role on the complex issue of sustainability, this also entails transparent reporting on our activities and their consequences for both the environment and society. These measures enable us to meet the rising demand for sustainable action by our various stakeholders in the best possible way."

The 40-page report complies with the guidelines provided by the GRI, an international independent organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate the impact of business on critical sustainability issues. GRI produces one of the world's most widely used standards for sustainability reporting – a three-tier, ABC application level. In successfully meeting GRI Level B Standards, the report details targeted sections on “Management & Dialogue,” “Service & Clients,” “Climate & Environment” and “Work & Life.”

The reporting Hermes companies, which together account for 96.4% of the Hermes Group’s revenue, present projects, initiatives and selected key data that illustrate their achievements and goals, including:

•Establishment of Hermes’ Corporate Responsibility (CR) Network to develop strategy for achieving sustainability goals across the Hermes Group companies.
•Reduction of CO2 emissions by over 43% per parcel since 1994. Hermes’ next WE DO! initiative is to cut carbon emission in the order fulfilment process, with a goal of halving current levels by 2020.
•Converting vehicles in light of the stricter Euro 6 standard emission threshold introduced in 2014 for all newly registered transport vehicles within Europe. Now, 19% of Hermes’ fleet meets this emission standard; by 2020, all vehicles will comply with the standard.
•Expansion of pilot projects in electromobility, including 100% electric-driven deliveries in London and a project with Mercedes-Benz on developing and launching the environmentally-friendly Vito E-CELL vehicles in Hamburg and Berlin.
•Donating nearly $809,000 USD to charitable causes.

For further information and to access the Hermes 2015 Sustainability Report, please click here: http://newsroom.hermesworld.com/.

About Hermes
Hermes provides international logistics services to the retail industry. Headquartered in Hamburg, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Otto Group. The company is a leading specialist in retail-related services and partners with numerous distance sellers in Germany and internationally. The range of services provided by the twelve Hermes companies embraces the full length of the supply chain: sourcing, quality assurance, transport, fulfillment, home deliveries and setup. In 2014, the Hermes Group grew its consolidated revenue to 2.230 billion euros and increased the number of employees to 12,470. Hermes operates worldwide and has established entities in the United Kingdom, United States, China, Russia, Italy and Austria. For further information, please visit www.newsroom.hermesworld.com.