At DELIVER Middle East 2026, Gilbert Abi Zeid, Vice President Logistics at GMG, outlined why supply chains sit at the centre of the global net zero challenge. With logistics accounting for a significant share of global emissions, retailers cannot separate sustainability goals from supply chain design and operational efficiency.

While governments worldwide have committed to net zero targets, timelines and mandates vary by region. For retailers, this creates both urgency and complexity. Gilbert emphasised that retail growth and supply chain growth are inseparable, meaning sustainability must scale alongside operational expansion rather than act as a constraint on it.

GMG has developed a structured framework built around multiple pillars, forming a practical roadmap towards net zero by 2050. Central to this approach is transparency, with GMG publishing sustainability data and reporting emissions to drive accountability across its operations in more than 20 countries.

Transportation and warehousing remain the largest contributors to logistics emissions. GMG has focused on targeted initiatives that deliver measurable impact, including renewable energy adoption at logistics facilities, electric vehicle trials, water treatment systems, and circular packaging practices across its regional network.

A core theme of the session was the role of technology in enabling smarter, more sustainable logistics. GMG has implemented control towers, demand sensing, route optimisation, and AI-driven planning to improve forecasting accuracy, reduce excess capacity, and optimise warehouse footprints. These tools allow the business to react faster to demand while lowering emissions and cost to serve.

Rather than adopting every available sustainability solution, GMG prioritises investments that make commercial and operational sense. Robotics, IoT-enabled fleet management, and digital twins are deployed selectively, ensuring sustainability improvements also deliver resilience and efficiency.

Gilbert also addressed the complexity of Scope 3 emissions, which sit largely outside direct retailer control. While partnerships and ESG-aligned procurement help influence progress, achieving net zero will require broader collaboration across suppliers, logistics partners, and policymakers.

Closing the session, Gilbert highlighted a critical takeaway for retailers: the cost of logistics inefficiency will ultimately outweigh the cost of sustainability investments. By improving operational efficiency today, retailers can make meaningful progress towards net zero while strengthening their supply chains for the future.