Green Logistics: How Sustainable Warehouses Are Reshaping Brazil’s Industrial Market

Sustainable operations are not only the responsibility of property owners; tenants also play a critical role. DHL Supply Chain, for instance, has made sustainability one of its strategic pillars. The company already operates Brazil’s largest fleet of electric cargo vehicles and expects to avoid nearly 300,000 tons of CO₂ emissions in the coming years. To achieve this, it announced a €200 million investment, aiming to make 30% of its fleet sustainable within three years. 

According to Cybelle Esteves, VP Operations Excellence BR, ESG LatAm at DHL Supply Chain, electrification is just one step in the broader transformation. 
“We have a clear strategy to reduce emissions and boost energy efficiency. Today, we already use alternative sources such as hydrogen and biogas, and we are advancing with the certification of our distribution centers, which include selective waste collection and solar power generation,” she said. 

She added that the company has also joined Brazil’s free energy market, a move expected to cut 2,800 tons of CO₂ emissions over five years. 
“That is equivalent to planting 390,000 trees—a tangible impact that shows how small structural changes can deliver major results,” Esteves emphasized. 

Looking ahead, the company is working with a global sustainability agenda that sets phased targets. By 2030, DHL aims to expand renewable energy use, electrify a significant share of its fleet, and increase the adoption of sustainable fuels. 

While logistics operators like DHL focus on reducing emissions from fleets and daily operations, property developers are advancing with certified green building projects designed to provide more efficient infrastructure. 

According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which issues LEED certifications, Brazil’s logistics sector recorded a 200% increase in certified projects between January and April 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. This surge made logistics the second-largest segment for LEED certifications in the country, behind only office buildings. 

This trend reflects both global pressures—such as commitments made at COP28 to achieve low-emission buildings by 2030—and local demands from investors and tenants. 

For landlords, sustainable warehouses represent assets with lower vacancy rates and stronger market appreciation. For tenants—especially logistics operators, manufacturers, and e-commerce players—choosing certified facilities helps cut operating costs, enhance corporate image, and align with ESG targets.