Hermès is developing new modes of transport to reduce its CO2 emissions.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy and resource efficiency
Energy Decarbonisation
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving efficiency in non-energy resources
Emission removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Project objectives
Aim to reduce the carbon footprint linked to transporting our products from France to the entire network, by reducing air transportation in favour of maritime and rail transportation.
The Hermès approach to reducing transport-related CO2 emissions was launched in 2015.
The first initiative was to deliver goods to the 3 Parisian stores using electric vehicles, departing from Bobigny. The following year, delivery to stores in the South East of France was carried out using gas-powered vehicles.
Hermès stores are on nearly every continent and it is thanks to the establishment of partnerships with international service providers that we have succeeded since 2017 in deploying alternative solutions to air transport. Theses have allowed Hermès to transfer 14% of our tonnage to maritime and rail in 2021.
We have therefore already:
1) used the New Silk Road to connect Europe to China by rail (from Duisburg to Shanghai)
2) shipped to Japan using the Trans-Siberian Railway (loading a container onto a train travelling from Duisburg to Vladivostok, then transferring it to a ship sailing to Yokohama)
3) increased maritime shipments departing from Le Havre and travelling to our American, Chinese or Australian subsidiaries.
Our CSR approach is now an integral part of the Hermès transport strategy and guides our choice of partnership. While we ask our carriers to use more sustainable fuels (such as biogas) or to use electric vehicles for the final miles, we also expect them to show initiative and to offer us innovative transport solutions that respect the environment.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Scope 3 – Modal shift from air to rail or sea.
- Quantification : – 6 930 tCO2e
Since 2017, shipments of 490 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalents), representing 1,044 tonnes of goods, have generated 127 tCO2e instead of 7,096 tCO2e by using air transport (according to Ecotransit calculations).
In the end, the modal shift of the 1,044 tonnes in question made it possible to reduce transport emissions by 6930 tCO2e.
Key points
Invested amount
Around €1 million
Starting date of the project
2021
Project localisation
Shipments departing from our Saran site (France), container stuffing at our logistics provider or at our forwarding agents.
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
As far as possible, we strive to continue growing the volume of goods benefiting from this modal shift.
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
In view of the fact that our products are heavy, we estimate a 50% cost reduction by prioritising maritime transport.
Illustrations of the project
This project is part of Hermes’ broader responsible transport projects and meets the requirements of SDGs 12, 13 and 17.
Very important potential of reproducibility since we plan to increase our tonnages in maritime or rail by 5 and then 8% per year
until 2030
This modal shift was made possible by our local and international transport partners.
Contact the company carrying the project :
harmonie.hermes@hermes.com
