In our previous sneak peeks, we explored Forto’s commitment to our Planet and our People. For this final article in our series diving into our 2024 Sustainability Report, we turn to Processes – the critical framework that underpins our environmental and social ambitions, ensuring lasting accountability and transparency.
Robust governance, unwavering ethical standards, resilient cybersecurity, responsible supplier engagement, and active industry collaboration are the operational bedrock of our sustainability strategy. Discover how we invested in future-proof processes throughout 2024 to turn ambition into verifiable action.
Embedding accountability: How we track our progress
At Forto, our sustainability strategy is built on a system of rigorous oversight and transparent reporting. We believe that what gets measured gets managed.
Sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not just annual check-ins; they are monitored monthly by our Executive Leadership Team.
- Regular strategic discussions occur between our CEO, CCO, and sustainability leadership, ensuring alignment at the highest level.
- To foster company-wide awareness and engagement, all Forto employees have access to a live internal sustainability dashboard, promoting transparency from the ground up.
This culture of meticulous measurement and internal accountability directly supports our externally validated Science-Based Targets (SBTs) and our overarching commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Upholding integrity: Our commitment to ethical business
Forto’s ethical foundation is solidified by a comprehensive Code of Conduct, which addresses critical areas such as anti-corruption, bribery, conflicts of interest, sanctions compliance, and data privacy. We are proud to state that as of the end of 2024, Forto has never had a confirmed case of corruption or bribery – a testament to our zero-tolerance approach.
Key initiatives in 2024 to further strengthen our ethical framework include:
- Implementation of an automated screening process for business partners, enhancing due diligence, improving response times, and minimizing human error.
- A mandatory partner Code of Conduct, which all new partners must adhere to, outlining our explicit environmental and social expectations.
- Significant enhancements to our whistleblowing system, which offers options for anonymous reporting and guarantees full compliance with GDPR and Germany’s Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz (Whistleblower Protection Act).
This multi-layered compliance ecosystem ensures that integrity is an operational daily standard at Forto.
Securing the future: Data protection and cybersecurity in a digital world
In an era of increasing digital threats, Forto’s investment in a resilient cybersecurity infrastructure is paramount.
Forto continued to elevate its annual IT risk assessment protocols in 2024 through:
- Regular penetration testing to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Comprehensive activity logging systems across all key platforms for enhanced monitoring.
- Targeted training programs for employees covering cybersecurity best practices, data retention policies, and the ethical use of emerging AI tools, such as Generative AI.
- All Forto data is hosted in certified data centers adhering to globally recognized security standards, and our employees are contractually bound to confidentiality, an obligation that extends beyond their tenure with the company.
Building responsible partnerships: Our approach to supplier engagement
Forto’s operations rely on a diverse global network of transport and geographic partners, including carriers, airlines, trucking companies, and local agents. We view these relationships as partnerships built on shared responsibility.
Every new supplier onboarded in 2024 underwent a rigorous vetting process, including:
- Comprehensive sanctions and compliance checks.
- Verification of all necessary licenses and certifications.
- Trial shipments to rigorously test reliability and service quality standards.
As mentioned, all partners are required to sign Forto’s Code of Conduct, which explicitly details our expectations for ethical, social, and environmental performance. Where relevant, our contracts now include binding sustainability clauses, further embedding our standards throughout the value chain.
By holding our suppliers to high standards, Forto extends its own accountability, minimizing risks while maximizing positive impact across the logistics ecosystem.
Amplifying impact: Driving change through industry collaboration
Forto recognizes that systemic change in logistics requires collective action. We are therefore actively engaged in industry dialogues and coalitions to amplify our impact and contribute to sector-wide transformation. Throughout 2024, Forto continued to play a significant role in several influential organizations:
- Smart Freight Centre (SFC): A global non-profit dedicated to reducing freight emissions. Forto participated in the Smart Freight Week in Amsterdam, sharing best practices and aligning on new sustainability initiatives with major industry stakeholders.
Our participation in these forums ensures that Forto is not only advancing its own sustainability practices but is also helping to steer the broader logistics sector towards a more sustainable future.
Processes as the engine of sustainable progress
While our efforts for the planet and our people are vital, it is Forto’s robust internal processes that form the essential, often unseen, framework of our sustainability leadership. We are continuously refining these processes, building a more resilient, responsible, and future-ready Forto.
Do you want to learn more about how we approach sustainability at Forto? Make sure to check out our dedicated page.
