DHL committed to sustainable development in Asia

DHL is committed to sustainable development in Asia and China. Monika Wulf-Mathies, Head of Public Policy & Sustainability at Deutsche Post World Net, DHL's parent company, shared the company's focus on sustainable development in the wake of its participation in a high level conference on sustainable development and urbanization entitled "Germany & China: Chongqing Dialogue on Urbanization" held in Chongqing June 14-16.

The focus on sustainability development is a key priority for DHL, and its parent company Deutsche Post World Net. The company has announced its plan to improve its carbon efficiency by 30 percent by 2020. It has also set strict targets, reducing emissions per package sent, ton transported and square meter of real estate used initially by 10 percent by 2012, and by 30 percent by 2020 when compared to 2007 levels.

Reducing the carbon footprint

"As the world's leading express and logistics company, we have a responsibility to address the environmental challenge," said Monika Wulf-Mathies, "The largest ecological challenge that we face in the transportation sector is energy efficiency, so we are looking at innovative ways to reduce our resource use and our carbon footprint, while also responding to the increasing demands of customers who are looking for an environmentally responsible shipping option."

DHL is the first company in the express and logistics sector to set specific and quantifiable CO2 targets and it will apply this by taking a focused approach across four key functions - air, road, real estate and products and services. For example, DHL will replace 90 percent of its air fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft by 2020.

In line with this, DHL has introduced a GoGreen Program to offer a comprehensive range of environmentally sustainable products and services. The GoGreen Program will help DHL to formally track and monitor the company's progress against its carbon efficiency goals.

First launch at the World Economic Forum in Davos

DHL GOGREEN EXPRESS is part of the GOGREEN range of carbon-neutral and low-carbon shipping options already available to DHL customers in Europe. The service was first launched in January 2007 at the World Economic Forum in Davos to help the Forum achieve its carbon neutral commitment. In Asia Pacific, the service will be available in 17 countries across the region over the course of this year. DHL is planning to roll out DHL GOGREEN EXPRESS to the China market in the third quarter of 2008.

With this value-added service, DHL aims to meet the demands of customers who are looking for a more environmentally-responsible shipping option. DHL calculates the carbon emissions generated by transporting each specific customer shipment from the country of origin to destination, and offset 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 the emissions generated when transporting customers' shipments across the globe.

China welcomes GoGreen

Jerry Hsu, President of Greater China Area and Executive Vice President, DHL Express Asia Pacific, addressed: "We are very excited to bring DHL's GoGreen Program to China, where the government has placed environmental protection and emission reduction high on its agenda. As the first international express and logistics company to enter the Chinese market, DHL has become an integral part of the local community, acting as a responsible Chinese corporate citizen. Over the years, DHL has been working together with the government, industry and customers toward sustainability. "

In addition to DHL GOGREEN EXPRESS, DHL is stepping up its use of low emission and energy efficient vehicles in its pick-up and delivery services in China. DHL-Sinotrans, its China joint venture, has bought 43 delivery vans that meet the country's most stringent emission standard, Europe IV and China IV emission standards.

"Addressing climate change is an essential part of our corporate social responsibility and our sustainability vision. As the market leader in the express and logistics industry, DHL will continue to connect China to the global economy while contributing to environmental protection in China by improving our energy and carbon efficiencies", Monika Wulf-Mathies added.