Afilog creates a carbon indicator to measure the carbon footprint of logistics and industrial buildings

A new tool to measure and monitor the evolution of the carbon impact of logistics and industrial real estate

Bringing together 130 members from the logistics, industrial, real estate and public sector, Afilog has been committed since 2021, through the Charter of reciprocal commitments with the State, to sustainable and responsible development of the sector. Several ambitious projects have been undertaken to promote the ecological transition of players essential to the functioning of the real economy: without logistics, there would be no agriculture, no industry, no trade.

Today, Afilog is proposing the implementation of a carbon indicator reflecting the footprint of logistics buildings over the entire life cycle and making it possible to monitor its evolution over time. This indicator will make it possible to build a “carbon scale” to evaluate warehouses in relation to each other, in a logic of asset valuation.

The originality of this indicator, developed in conjunction with Systenza Energie, Payet and Enorka, after exploratory work entrusted to the CSTB in 2021, makes it possible to take into account the construction, operation, renovations and deconstruction of the building in a single indicator. It can be used for new buildings and those currently in operation, by taking into account actual consumption.

The indicator makes it possible to compare different assets on a single “carbon scale” and to monitor the evolution of their carbon performance over time. It will serve as a basis for an overall assessment of the carbon footprint of the French logistics fleet and, above all, will enable the profession to develop a progress plan over time, with quantified and measurable objectives and a fleet trajectory by 2050.

Its simple implementation is based on the benchmarks recognized in the profession: RE2020 for the construction and renovation component; the tertiary decree for the operation component. The tool meets European technical standards and can be used in other European markets.

For Claude Samson, president of Afilog: "It is with great satisfaction that I welcome the implementation of the logistics carbon indicator, covering both construction and operation aspects. Our profession has long been waiting for a single gauge allowing it to measure the carbon impact of its assets, to compare them with each other, and to monitor their progress over time, throughout the life cycle, for new and existing buildings. We are now tackling the second stage of our work, the evaluation of the stock, and the construction of a long-term progress plan. Our goal is simple: for the logistics profession to demonstrate through its actions that it is playing its full part in the collective effort to reduce energy consumption and the environmental footprint in our country. Let us hope that this indicator, innovative in many ways, will serve as an inspiration for the entire real estate profession!"

A sector committed to the energy transition, decarbonization and sobriety of uses

This new initiative is part of a process of reflection and commitments by the sector to conduct its activities in a more sober and resilient manner and contribute to the decarbonization and energy transition effort. Following the Charter of Reciprocal Commitments signed with the State in 2021, Afilog members committed in 2023 to installing 5 million square meters of photovoltaic panels on logistics warehouses by 2028, generating more than 1300 gigawatt hours per year, in order to extend the use of buildings, from storage to energy production.

In March 2024, Afilog set up, jointly with the Union TLF, France Supply Chain and the Club Demeter, a charter organizing the sharing of responsibilities between owners and tenants for the implementation of the tertiary decree, aimed at improving the energy performance of the 90 million m2 fleet of logistics warehouses.