The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) summit held in Glasgow continues to highlight the urgency of climate emergency. A rise in such environmental interventions has emerged partly due to the demands of an increasingly environmentally-conscious public as well as a rise in sustainability trends. Each one of these interventions has brought forth heightened awareness of the formerly obfuscated effects of pollution. One of the industries that have been under scrutiny is the delivery industry – there’s a 72% rise in reliance on online shopping before the pandemic, and this rise naturally translates into an increase in deliveries. This results in the build-up of carbon emissions.
Logistic industry and its hand in climate change
Global climate change has already had apparent effects on the environment. Shrinking ice caps and glaciers, extreme changes in weather patterns, the growth of inhospitable desert environments, and the emergence of zoonotic diseases are just some of its devastating impacts. Of the industries that need to accept responsibility for the worsening climate change, logistics is definitely one of them. Current road transportation solutions are the most harmful form of logistics, air freight being the close second. At the moment, the logistics sector contributes around 24% of global CO2 emissions, and is expected to increase to 40% by 2050 if strong and effective actions aren’t put in place.
An urgency for change
If there's anything the past few years have shown us, the global supply chain is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. From storm surge flooding to multiple national lockdowns in part of COVID-19, the supply chain can and has been easily disrupted and even overturned. Adverse effects on the logistics infrastructure features interrupted disruption and overall increased costs and prices, which could inadvertently hurt the corporate bottom line.
In response to climate change, several key supply chain players have crafted new frameworks to support an eco-friendly version of the current model: green logistics. Green logistical solutions add to the classic supply chain strategies that often focus on cost-effective and time-efficient movement, as well as coordination of goods and services from upstream to downstream. Such solutions extend the current model by including stakeholders and suppliers in emerging economies, as well as their supplier’s vendors and in tiers beyond that. Additional implementations include measuring their environmental footprint at every stage of the supply chain, introducing green key indicators and metrics, decreasing consumption of raw materials and reducing all kinds of waste.
DHL Express’s GoGreen Logistics: a step towards environmental change
As the world’s leading logistics company, DHL Express recognises and understands our responsibility to set an example in the supply chain industry as the world gears up for change. Dedicated to being a sustainable leader, we have continuously redefined logistics and implemented frameworks and approaches to ensure that we, as a logistics partner, can help make your supply chains more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Our GoGreen Logistics utilises a sustainable framework as well as a holistic approach in tackling environmental concerns within the supply chain industry. It covers four areas: sustainable aviation, green last-mile delivery and line haul, carbon neutral buildings, and green product portfolio.
Recognising the impact fossil fuels have on the environment, we make it a point to employ clean energy and technologies to truly eliminate carbon emissions from transport and logistics. Through ongoing network enhancements, we are dedicated to further reducing fuel usage and replacing them with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). To support this initiative, we are constantly supporting the development and market availability of an energy-efficient fleet. In fact, DHL has introduced Alice, an electric cargo aircraft that will operate in all environments currently serviced by traditionally-powered aircraft. By 2030, we aim to electrify as much as 60% of our last-mile delivery automobiles.
This extends to our infrastructure as well. With a network spanning 220 territories and countries, we aim to create all newly owned buildings in carbon-neutral designs by leveraging the latest green technologies.
We can also work with you to identify improvement potential and develop measures to further optimise your supply chain, effectively reducing both delivery carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. This extends beyond mere transport, as we work to create a more efficient group of fleets, buildings, and networks. Paired with our Carbon Reports which helps us better understand the environmental impact of your transport and logistics-related activities, creating a significant change is possible.
Take DHL Express’ partnership with TWG, for example. While TWG adopts more ethically-sourced packaging and biodegradable teabags, we further enabled the company to meet its sustainability goals by transporting its orders with our electric vehicles on the road. As a green logistics partner, we can help companies like TWG amplify their green efforts and work together for a common cause.
DHL takes it a step further by assisting your carbon offsetting through our climate-neutral service, GoGreen. Our GoGreen climate protection projects are carefully selected to ensure that they provide not only environmental benefits, but also improved living conditions for the local community. By investing in such projects, we can assist you in offsetting your carbon footprint and contributing to improving the lives of those in less developed countries.
Kickstart your journey towards a greener future today! Reach out to us to learn more about our Go Green products and other green shipping solutions today!
