Challenge of climate protection

Protecting the climate in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol and improving carbon dioxide (CO₂) efficiency were our principal environmental goals in the year under review. We calculate our greenhouse gas emissions with a continuously refined CO₂ monitoring system based on an international standard (the Greenhouse Gas Protocol published by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development). In 2006, we were able for the first time to record all CO₂ emissions directly caused by us. These totalled around 6.1 million tonnes.

Until there are economical large-scale alternatives to fossil fuels, we must seek to organise all logistics processes so efficiently that the rising demand for goods transport is not accompanied by an equivalent increase in emissions. As the examples below indicate, we are embracing this challenge.

By way of our GOGREEN options, we are currently the only logistics service provider to offer climate-neutral products, which offset the emissions associated with their shipping through climate protection projects. In Germany, the product range encompasses the Pluspäckchen (small packet plus postage) for retail customers, online franking and parcels for mail order customers. In January 2007, we also began offering climate-neutral express delivery services to business customers in Europe.

We are investing in modern, fuel-efficient cargo aircraft, such as the Boeing 767-300 ER. Our road fleet also uses alternative powertrains, including hybrids, and burns renewable fuels, such as vegetable oil. We also consolidate shipments and optimise route planning.

The infrastructure of our new central air freight hub for Europe, in Leipzig, will emit about 3,000 fewer tonnes of CO₂ each year than conventional systems, thanks to photovoltaic technology and cogeneration.

More than 35% of our employees now work with environmental management systems audited in compliance with ISO 14001. We developed the underlying concept ourselves in a six-stage plan.