115
Good Practice
Environment
Global Compact International Yearbook 2013
Going electric
In 2011, DHL Express successfully switched to an
all-electric fleet of 30 vehicles to handle its deliveries
in downtown Manhattan, New York. This was part of
Deutsche Post DHL’s global electric-vehicle testing
program of 131 electric vehicles in the United States
and Germany, to assess their usability in everyday
operations. The company is also employing or testing
hybrid, propane, and other alternative fuel vehicles,
with some 1,500 vehicles in the Deutsche Post DHL
fleet powered by alternative methods.
Air fleet modernization
The most significant share of Deutsche Post DHL’s
direct CO
2
emissions is generated by its air network. To
help shrink this footprint, the company is continually
investing in newer, more efficient aircraft that not only
burn less fuel, but also generate less noise.
time, we acknowledge the responsibility
of the logistics industry in mitigating
the environmental impact of transport.
Moreover, with their unique position
and expertise along the entire supply
chain, logistics providers can help other
industry sectors make progress toward
a low-carbon economy.
Through its GoGreen program, Deutsche
Post DHL is improving its own CO
2
ef-
ficiency, thereby making it a key driver
for greener logistics solutions for its
customers, many of whom have already
introduced specific goals to reduce their
CO
2
emissions. By combining innovative
technologies withmore environmentally-
friendly products and services, we are
able to open up new markets and busi-
ness opportunities for our customers,
while helping them achieve their own
environmental goals.
Sustainability matters
By 2020, we intend to improve the carbon
efficiency of our own transport services
and those of our subcontractors by 30
percent compared with the base year
2007 –
improvements that, in turn,
benefit our business customers’ envi-
ronmental efforts. In fact, we are well
ahead of our interim target, having al-
ready achieved our 2012 mid-term goal
of improving our own carbon efficiency
by 10 percent two years in advance, in
2010.
Optimized transport routes, mod-
ern aircraft, alternative drive vehicles,
and energy-efficient warehouses are just
some of the ways in which we are reduc-
ing climate-damaging CO
2
emissions.
To measure our progress, we have in-
tegrated carbon accounting into our
financial accounting system. The CO
2
emissions calculations are based on our
fuel and electricity consumption data,
which is combined with operations data
from the various divisions. This highly
accurate method of calculation earned
Deutsche Post DHL the “Green Control-
ling Award” in November 2011, which
was conferred for the first time by the
Péter Horváth Foundation.
We have taken this approach because
we see environmentally friendly and
efficient logistics as an opportunity to
create value – for the environment, for
the company, for our customers, and for
our shareholders. At Deutsche Post DHL,
we believe that environmental protection
and business success are not just compat-
ible – they are closely interlinked. Sus-
tainability is becomingmore andmore of
a competitive advantage, as consumers
increasingly consider environmental