At a time when ESG regulations are becoming increasingly complex, driven by the issuance of the recent so-called Omnibus package from the European Commission, the question is: are they a burden or a competitive advantage? The speakers at the recent P3 ESG Workshop showed us that it all depends on your approach.
On 17th June 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting four leading professionals during our second-ever P3 ESG Workshop, held in the inspiring surrounds of Prague’s downtown Alma Restaurant. Their insights shed new light on the opportunities hidden within sustainability legislation and how to stay ahead of the curve.
At any time, you can view the recording of the workshop here: P3 ESG WORKSHOP - YouTube
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Improving energy efficiency in logistics goes beyond just improving logistic buildings and transport fleets. Above anything else, it means navigating a complex matrix of local governmental requirements across EMEA.
“Each country in Europe has its own rules,” explains Jillian Giberson of Longevity. “Some, like Austria or Portugal, have already started transposing new EU directives into national law. But the pace and scope vary significantly.”
While challenging, this matrix can also be seen as an opportunity to improve operational efficiency.
A strategic first step is to integrate Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) into long-term planning, identifying which assets may fall short of future thresholds and prioritizing them for upgrades. For new constructions, nearly zero- or zero-emission building designs, including renewables and EV infrastructure, are rapidly becoming the standard.
Ultimately, success lies in setting clear ESG targets, aligning them with business strategy, and applying practical tools such as building automation and real-time energy monitoring, all while remaining flexible in the face of change.
One of the core challenges in today’s energy landscape is maintaining a balance between production and consumption. While demand has always fluctuated, the rise of renewable energy (oft dependent on variable weather conditions) is making supply increasingly volatile.
“As a society, we want to implement renewables into the energy mix to decarbonize, but it comes with challenges. This is where flexibility comes in,” emphasizes Dries Donders of Encon.
Without adequate storage capacity, or the ability to scale conventional power plants quickly, the grid risks becoming unstable. This can lead to negative energy prices, which pose a threat to those unprepared, but a major opportunity for those that are flexible — in production (e.g. curtailing solar output), consumption (adjusting EV charging speed), and storage (such as thermal batteries or battery energy storage systems).
Dries advocates a holistic approach to the energy transition; flexibility is just one piece, and it only works when integrated with electrification, efficiency, renewables, and collaboration. Those who move quickly, before the market reaches equilibrium, will be best positioned to capitalize.
Another way to capitalize on sustainability goals is to make full use of the technology that already exists.
According to Simon Delvenne of DHL, the market already offers a wide range of proven solutions that can help achieving sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon neutrality in logistics buildings.
"Many of these technologies require joint decisions between landlords and tenants," Simon explains. "Without honest, early-stage communication, even the simplest upgrades can become complex."
For example, advanced LED systems without movement-sensors may lead to suboptimal energy usage. Solar panels depend on the condition of the roof and must comply with local regulations. Heat pumps offer major carbon savings but are costly. And solutions like battery storage and EV infrastructure often raise unexpected technical and insurance-related requirements.
But "the installation is only half the story," Sinziana Pardhan, Group Director of Sustainability and Strategic Transformation at P3, points out. "True energy efficiency depends on how well the installed technology is used."
Even the best equipment won’t perform without mindful operation. A Building Automation System (BAS) can help optimize performance, but its success depends on engaged usage patterns, smart measuring, and tenant involvement. According to industry literature, well-optimized BAS usage can deliver energy savings of up to 30%, depending on the baseline.
The path to sustainable logistics isn't about waiting for perfect conditions. It's about working with what we have, now. Sustainability may be complex, but it doesn’t have to be a burden. With the right mindset and collaboration, it becomes an engine for innovation, resilience, and long-term value.