What is truly sustainable and what is just for show? - with Timo Landener

In a nutshell: Timo Landener is a sustainability expert at Körber and host of the podcast "Das Gleiche in Grün". In this conversation, he discusses the strategic integration of sustainability within companies – and why too much is said about measures and too little about impact. The discussion covers conflicting objectives, the risks of greenwashing, and the need to embed sustainability internally rather than simply projecting it outward.

Between self-imposed standards and operational reality

Right from the start, Landener speaks candidly about the tension between ambitious climate targets and the often hesitant implementation in practice. "As a company, it's easy to put something on a poster – but the question is: how much of it is truly relevant to the business?"

He warns against a widening gap between communication and reality – and urges companies to honestly assess their impact: What are we actually achieving – and where are we merely creating distractions?

Sustainability requires governance – not just good intentions

A central theme in the conversation is the embedding of sustainability within internal structures. Landener emphasizes that setting a sustainability goal is not enough. What is needed are clear accountabilities, KPIs, processes – and the willingness to integrate sustainability into governance and management frameworks.

"It's not just about good intentions, but about operational reality", says Landener. Without organizational embedding, many measures remain without consequence.

Scope 3 & impact: what we measure is decisive

Rather than getting lost in individual measures, Landener advocates for an impact-oriented approach. Especially with Scope 3 emissions, what matters is creating realistic data, transparent processes, and collaborative partnerships throughout the supply chain.

"The question is not: What are we doing? But rather: What impact are we actually having?" – This applies both internally and in external communication.

Cultural change requires space for learning

Landener calls for a new mindset when it comes to sustainability: less fear of making mistakes, more willingness to learn. "We have to accept that not everything will succeed right away. But if we don't move forward, nothing will change either."

Sustainability, in his view, is not purely a technical or regulatory task – it is a cultural challenge. And it begins with honest reflection, clear prioritization, and open dialogue.

Curious? Find the full episode here: 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZQDMtH5olJ0
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3W8KZ1A
Apple: https://apple.co/3C1r8L3 

You can also find more of Timo's inspiring thoughts in posts on our infopoint. 

In this article, Timo writes about the societal value of logistics and addresses fundamental questions that underlie the connection between sustainability and logistics. 

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