The logistics sector is a major contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, with the International Organization for Standardization reporting that it accounts for over a third of these emissions worldwide. Consequently, logistics companies around the globe face the pressing challenge of developing solutions to mitigate this impact and promote more sustainable operations.
As a global leader in the logistics industry, DHL has created innovative solutions to minimise the environmental impact of logistics operations through our GoGreen programme. This initiative represents a significant step towards DHL’s commitment to reach net-zero GHG emission by 2050, providing more sustainable solutions for our clients and aiming to create a more sustainable future for the shipping industry.
Objectives of the GoGreen initiative
These are the key objectives we strive to achieve with our GoGreen programme:
1. Achieve environmental sustainability goals
The primary objective of the GoGreen initiative is to achieve environmental sustainability by significantly reducing carbon emissions and minimising the ecological footprint of logistics operations.
By aligning our objectives with the global goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, DHL Express combats climate change and promotes environmental stewardship through carbon insetting strategies in our operations.
These efforts help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and aid the transition to a low-carbon economy.
2. Compliance with industry standards
Another crucial objective of the GoGreen initiative is to ensure compliance with industry standards and alignment with global sustainability initiatives. DHL Express is committed to adhering to international regulations and benchmarks, such as the ones set by the Paris Agreement and the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
The Paris Agreement is a treaty that was adopted in 2015, which strives to limit global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and restrict the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This agreement encourages countries and organisations worldwide to take significant measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.
On the other hand, the SBTi provides companies with a clearly defined pathway to align their carbon reduction targets with the latest climate science. This ensures their efforts contribute meaningfully to the goals set by the Paris Agreement.
By aligning our operations with these standards, DHL Express not only demonstrates its dedication to sustainable practices but also sets a benchmark for the logistics industry. This compliance helps ensure that the company’s sustainability efforts are credible, transparent, and impactful, contributing to broader environmental goals and fostering industry-wide adoption of green logistics practices.
Key components of the GoGreen initiatives
Carbon insetting is a key strategy in our green initiatives. Carbon insetting Specifically, it is a sustainability strategy involving investing in projects within the supply chain to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions. Here are the key components of our carbon insetting efforts under the GoGreen initiative:
1. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Initiative
Knowing that air freight is a major contributor to carbon emissions in the logistics industry, we are using Sustainable Aviation Fuel in our air freight operations to address this. DHL’s latest sustainable solution - GoGreen Plus, uses SAF as part of our carbon insetting efforts. SAF is produced from renewable energy, sustainable biomass or waste and has a lower carbon footprint than the traditional jet fuel used in the air freight and aviation sectors.
By integrating SAF into our operations, DHL Express is making substantial progress in more sustainable aviation. The use of SAF reduces greenhouse gas emissions by a significant percentage over the fuel’s lifecycle, making it a critical component in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
DHL's investment in sustainable aviation fuel production not only helps decrease the carbon intensity of its air freight services but also sets an example in the broader adoption of SAF within the logistics industry. Learn more about DHL Express’s efforts in sustainable shipping.
