Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Scope 1 emissions reported in 2022 Sustainability Report at 137,000 tonnes CO2e (company cars and own trucks). Scope 2 reported via location-based approach with market-based adjustments using RECs per GHG Protocol. 2024 Sustainability Report confirms total GHG emissions of 16.740 million tonnes across all scopes. GHG data verified annually by an independent third-party auditor per kuehne-nagel.com, using GHG Protocol, GLEC Framework, and ISO 14083:2023. Multi-year tracking in place via Global Fa

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Kuehne+Nagel reports that more than 98% of its GHG emissions fall into Scope 3, with approximately 12.3 million tonnes CO2e from sea and air logistics in 2022 alone. Total 2024 reported emissions are 16.740 million tonnes, dominated by Scope 3 from contracted carrier operations. 2023 Sustainability Report showed absolute Scope 3 decrease to 14.422 million tonnes. Methodology uses GHG Protocol, GLEC Framework, and ISO 14083:2023 with EcoTransIT calculations per supply chain category. Supply chain

Emissions Trajectory: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Total GHG emissions in 2024 were 16.740 million tonnes, up 16% year-on-year vs 2023 (14.422 million tonnes), though the company claims a 9% reduction vs the 2019 baseline. The 2024 YoY increase is significant and driven in part by acquisitions and methodology changes. The 2025 Sustainability Report (covering 2024 data) notes a 14% absolute reduction vs 2019 on the original organisational boundary (excluding acquisitions). The methodology baseline has been revised multiple times, complicating tra

Energy Source: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

In 2024, 98% of electricity for all sites came from renewable sources and 67% of total energy consumption was from renewable sources. On-site photovoltaic production reached 26% of electricity needs in 2024, up from 20% in 2023, against a 2030 target of 30%. 100% renewable electricity achieved for Contract Logistics warehouses globally. The 2025 Sustainability Report (FY2024 data) confirms 100% renewable electricity for Contract Logistics sites and 34% on-site production. However, renewable ener

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

No TNFD disclosure or formal biodiversity framework adoption found in search results for Kuehne+Nagel. The company holds ISO 14001 at over 200 locations and has an Environmental Policy Statement referencing water stewardship and environmental management. Past carbon offset portfolio included REDD+ nature-based projects (Cordillera Azul, Katingan Peatland) though these are legacy customer-facing offset products rather than biodiversity commitments. No quantified nature footprint, deforestation co

Resource Use & Waste: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

2022 Sustainability Report shows 75% of waste recycled (58%) or recovered (17%) with a 19% overall decrease in waste volume and a 10% reduction in landfill waste year-on-year. A 2030 target of zero waste to landfill and 20% reduction in waste volumes in contract logistics is published. Waste data collected monthly across sites via GFCC. LED lighting coverage reached 86% of controlled surface area in 2024. Waste Management Standards documented and publicly referenced. However, the full 2024 waste

Water Impact: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Water usage is tracked and reported across all sites via GFCC on a monthly basis. 2022 Sustainability Report states a 30% reduction in water consumption since 2019. A 2030 target to maintain a 10% water consumption reduction vs 2019 baseline is set. Most water-intensive operations are located in the US and Europe in areas not subject to water stress per the 2022 report. Environmental Policy Statement references minimising water usage in areas of water stress. No pollution incidents or discharge

Targets & Commitments: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Kuehne+Nagel has SBTi-validated targets: original near-term target of 33% absolute Scope 1+2+3 reduction by 2030 vs 2019 baseline, validated in 2021. Net-zero 2050 target validated. In April 2025, the company announced upgraded SBTi targets with a 2024 baseline, aligning Scope 1 and 2 to a 1.5°C pathway. The upgraded framework uses an emissions intensity approach for Scope 3 rather than absolute reductions, which is a flag under SINK rules — intensity targets are not equivalent to absolute targe

Transparency & Accountability: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

Annual Sustainability Report published since at least 2015. GHG data verified annually by independent third-party auditor using GHG Protocol, GLEC, and ISO 14083:2023. TCFD reporting in place. GRI Standards alignment confirmed. Board of Directors and Management Board both have sustainability oversight. A dedicated Global Head of Sustainability exists and is publicly named (Christine Wiederkehr-Luther). CSRD double materiality assessment updated in 2024 with further alignment planned for 2025. ES

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Kuehne + Nagel International score?

A 2012 EU Commission antitrust fine of €53.7 million was imposed on Kuehne+Nagel for price-fixing in freight forwarding — this is a resolved historic regulatory action, not an environmental controversy. No upheld greenwashing ruling, no climate litigation, and no credible NGO reports of systematic environmental harm found in searches. InfluenceMap (LobbyMap) records Kuehne+Nagel's top-line climate messaging as positive and notes low engagement with climate policy overall; no evidence of active l

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Kuehne + Nagel International Sustainability Score: 32/100

◌ Pending Review

🚢 Shipping / LogisticsCHBelow expectations

~85,000 employees~CHF 22.5B revenue16.7Mt CO₂e totalRanked #343 of 503Website ↗

Kuehne + Nagel International is a shipping / logistics company headquartered in CH with total reported emissions of 16.7Mt CO₂e per year. Based on our 10-question rubric, Kuehne + Nagel International scores 32/100 — rated as below expectations on sustainability for a company of its size and profile.

SINK Score Breakdown

How we calculated Kuehne + Nagel International's score using our formula: (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale Penalty

Base Impact

Shipping / Logistics industry ceiling

Performance

52/100

10 questions scored below

Scale Penalty

0.7x

emissions volume multiplier

SINK Score

(0.3 × 30 + 0.7 × 52) × 0.7 = 32

Emissions Breakdown

Scope 1

137Kt

Direct emissions

Scope 3

16.5Mt

Value chain

Total

16.7Mt

CO₂e per year

10-Question Rubric Breakdown

Click any question to see the reasoning, sources and community challenges.

7/10

Carbon Footprint — Operations

6/10

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain

3/10

Emissions Trajectory

7/10

Energy Source

3/10

Nature & Biodiversity Impact

5/10

Resource Use & Waste

4/10

Water Impact

5/10

Targets & Commitments

6/10

Transparency & Accountability

Q10

6/10

Controversies & Red Flags

Community Verification

0 verifications · 0 challenges · Scored using SINK editorial review

Last scored: 11 Apr 2026

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