Lean & Green creates an international partnership to accelerate decarbonization in Europe with a key role for Spain

Sustainable logistics

The Lean & Green initiative, coordinated in Spain by AECOC, has established the Lean & Green International Association to unify and strengthen logistics decarbonization in Europe. Spain, a founding member, assumes a prominent role in the program's new management structure.

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The European logistics sector is taking a firm step towards its environmental transformation. The renowned initiative Lean & GreenConnekt, which had operated under the ownership of the Dutch non-profit association since 2008, has restructured its organizational model to respond to the challenges of today's international trade. This evolution has resulted in the creation of Lean & Green International Association, an entity designed to strengthen continental governance and enhance the decarbonization of logistics.

The new economic and regulatory context of the European Union increasingly demands comparable and homogeneous data across different markets. In this scenario, the newly formed association assumes control of the brand's intellectual property and harmonization of the program in all participating states. Its objective is clear: to guarantee a coordinated expansion into new international markets and consolidate itself as the leading institutional reference in sustainability applied to transport before the European Union bodies.

Spain's strategic weight in European governance

The internationalization of this structure gives Spain an indisputable leading role. AECOCThe entity coordinating the program at the national level, stands as a founding member of the new association along with the delegations from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Portugal.

Their leadership in the national market is no accident. Currently, the Spanish branch of the initiative stands out as the first country in growth rate and the second with the largest volume of member companies, demonstrating the deep commitment of the Spanish corporate sector to the international investments in sustainabilityThis specific weight is directly reflected in the top management: Bárbara Ferrer will assume the vice-presidency of the Supervisory Board, while Estefanía Soler has been appointed as general manager of the Lean & Green International Association to pilot this phase of continental expansion.

In her first statements after the appointment, Estefanía Soler highlighted the magnitude of this milestone: “The evolution of Lean & Green, from a successful national initiative to a true European movement, demonstrates the sector’s commitment to sustainability. The creation of this new international association provides us with the governance, scale, and collaborative capacity needed to drive significant change beyond borders. Together, we are building a robust platform that will support hundreds of companies, strengthen dialogue with European institutions, and help shape the future of sustainable freight transport in Europe.”.

A rapidly expanding international network

The success of modern logistics operations depends on cross-border cooperation. Therefore, the new organization begins by requiring its members to adhere to a fully harmonized methodological program. The association is launched with the initial support of eleven nations: the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania.

Over 600 participating companies throughout Europe, Lean & Green It demonstrates the viability and profitability of investing in efficient supply chains. This renewed corporate structure will equip companies with the foreign trade of the tools and influence needed to lead a coordinated, effective ecological transition adapted to the realities of modern international business.

Key points and frequently asked questions about the new Lean & Green partnership

How does this new association affect Spanish companies?

The creation of the Lean & Green International Association It strengthens the position of Spanish companies on the European logistics map. Through the participation of AECOC at the Consejo SupervisorNational companies gain a direct voice in defining sustainability standards, allowing them to anticipate future regulations. Unión Europea and align their export and import strategies with a harmonized and internationally recognized framework.

What practical benefits does the Lean & Green initiative offer to an exporter?

For an export manager, adhering to Lean & Green provides a validated methodology for Optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, decrease both operating costs and carbon footprintThis not only improves supply chain efficiency but also strengthens brand reputation with increasingly demanding international customers. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

Does this represent a change in the program criteria for companies already participating?

The main objective of the new association is precisely the harmonization of criteriaThis implies that, in the medium term, greater consistency will be sought in the methodology for calculating and reporting emissions across all member countries. For Spanish companies, this translates into greater legal certainty and the guarantee that their certifications and data will be fully comparable and valid in markets such as [insert markets here]. Alemania to Países Bajosfacilitating foreign trade operations.