Frankfurt Cargo Services’ (FCS) operation in Germany is now powered by 100% renewable energy in support of its parent company Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ program, a core part of WFS’ Environmental, Social & Government (ESG) strategy.

The switch to renewable power is the latest sustainability initiative by FCS, which is certified to the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the ISO 14001 environmental management system. The new energy source supports the operation of the entire FCS warehouse facility, including material handling. IT and security systems, lighting, and charging stations for electric forklifts and company and customer vehicles.

FCS also operates a waste management and recycling system and has KPIs in place to monitor its usage of water, heating, and other consumables.

FCS is buying green energy from supplier, Energy Air GmbH, which offers a tariff certified in accordance with Germany’s ‘VdTÜV Basic Directive for Green Electricity Products’. Its production is based on 100% renewable energy and is sourced from plants were 50% are not more than 12 years old to support the passive expansion of new regenerative power plants. FCS will receive an annual validation certificate from Germany’s Federal Environment Agency based on its assessment of the energy provider.

“The use of green energy is a key part of our operating strategy and another important step towards our group’s sustainability objectives. WFS’ ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ sets out clear targets and expectations for the group’s global handling operations and this is uppermost in our thinking. As we replace our ground support equipment, we are increasingly building a fleet of electric vehicles, which now stands at 75% of our total fleet. We have also just acquired replacement electric cars to transport documents from the warehouse to airside – which alone is saving 11 tons of CO2 during the next three years- and we are continuing to seek more opportunities to help the planet,” said Steffen Kuhn, Director, HSSE, Real Estate & Maintenance at FCS.

Earlier this year, WFS’ cargo handling operation in Denmark created the capacity to generate 100% of its power requirements through renewable energy after entering a partnership with NRGreen to create the largest solar plant in Greater Copenhagen. This initiative involved positioning 3,500 high efficiency solar panels across the existing 10,000m2 roof area of WFS’ cargo facilities at Copenhagen Airport. WFS’ operations in France are also on track to be powered by 100% renewable energy in the New Year, and more stations will follow.

Earlier this year WFS has developed the program ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’. It aims to coordinate, build upon, and accelerate the numerous WFS sustainability projects across the company’s network spanning stations at 164 major airports in 18 countries and five continents, and provide the sustainability focal point for WFS’ 30,000-strong international workforce.