There's a new way to minimize the environmental impact of shipping goods around the world.
DHL, the German express and logistics company, will introduce its GoGreen Express service in 17 countries across the Asia-Pacific region this year. The service is created for customers who are looking for an eco-friendly shipping option. In China, the carbon-neutral service will begin in July.
A first in the logistics industry, DHL calculates the carbon emissions generated by transporting each specific customer shipment from the country of origin to destination, and offsets these emissions by reinvesting in certified carbon management programs such as alternative fuel vehicle technology, solar panels and reforestation projects.
These projects have been identified via DHL's dedicated carbon management function, with an aim to compensate for the emissions generated when transporting shipments across the globe.
Customers have the option to choose the GoGreen service when ordering international express shipments and pay a 3 percent "green premium" on top of standard delivery charges to ship "carbon neutral".
This money will go to the carbon management programs. The program is annually verified by an external certifying body, the Swiss based Societe Generale de Surveillance. Customers then receive an annual certificate from DHL stating the total amount of CO2, which was offset on their behalf during the year.
At the beginning of 2007 DHL announced it would invest $110 million in China in the next few years to maintain its leading position in the country and to capitalize on the continued trade growth.
It also plans to build its North Asia express transferring hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The hub, scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2010, will serve China and the North Asia region, which will contribute 30 percent of the global express volume by 2015.
The GoGreen Express service is part of a series of environmental protection initiatives by DHL. The company has set strict targets for reducing emissions per package sent, tons transported and square meters of real estate used by 10 percent by 2012 and by 30 percent by 2020, as compared to 2007 levels. DHL is the first express and logistics company to set specific carbon efficiency targets.
DHL plans to adopt a range of initiatives to achieve the targets. For example, it will replace 90 percent of its air fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft by 2020. It plans to cut CO2 emissions of its ground fleet through the use of cleaner technologies. It will also improve its energy efficiency in its real estate assets, such as hubs, warehouses and offices.
In India, DHL is operating over 200 compressed natural gas vehicles. In Japan, it is encouraging "green logistics" through a combined use of hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell cars and bicycles in its operation network.
DHL is not alone. Its US rivals, FedEx and UPS, are also trying to green up their fleets.
FedEx operates over 170 hybrid vehicles around the world. UPS announced in May that it had ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles, the largest commercial order of such trucks by any company, in addition to another 300 compressed natural gas vehicles for its US delivery fleet.
