DHL’s environmental commitment acknowledged by leading climate protection organization

Feb. 11, 2009 - PRLog -- Pune: DHL, the global leader in express and logistics, has been recognized for its global environmental commitment by Climate Counts. Climate Counts, a leading nonprofit organization working in collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet, placed DHL well ahead of other major players in the logistics industry in their environmental scoreboard. The scoreboard evaluates businesses based on their efforts to review, reduce and report their impacts on the climate. With 67 out of 100 possible points, DHL led the competition in the logistics industry by a high margin in all main categories.
In the field of CO2 efficiency, Climate Counts found that “DHL has established clear and absolute goals to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, with oversight on climate action at the highest level in the company. The company has reduced its impact on global warming (i.e. its greenhouse gas emissions or climate footprint) by focusing on investment in renewable energy and efficiency programs. The company also provides consumers with a way to take action around the use of its products and support climate-specific employee awareness programs.”

John Mullen, CEO DHL Express, commented on the recognition: “Its pleasing to receive recognition for our group-wide climate protection program. We are especially proud to be the only logistics company to fulfill around two-thirds or more of the requirements in the main categories, already in the first year that we are rolling out our comprehensive program GoGreen.”

Climate Counts scores companies on 22 criteria in four main categories like review, reduction, policy stance and reporting. DHL was awarded for the completion of measurements of the impact that it has on global warning since 2001. The evaluation highlighted DHL’s setting of clear and absolute goals to reduce CO2 emissions, investment in renewable energy and efficiency programs and the offer of products, which balance greenhouse gas emissions caused by cargo transport. The support of climate-specific employee awareness programs was also recognized, as well as DHL’s detailed public information on its efforts to address global warming.
In comparison to last year’s scoreboard, DHL made big gains due to improving its measurement efforts, setting stronger reduction goals, reporting on reductions and taking increasingly vocal stances on positive policies related to climate change. The recognition kicks off a year which is said to be difficult for the entire industry. Says Mullen: “Despite the challenges we face, DHL Express remains committed to reaching the targets set for 2009 in the areas of air transport, surface transport, and real estate.”
For DHL Express the most effective way to improve the CO2 efficiency of its air fleet is to invest in newer, more efficient aircraft. It continually replaces older aircraft in our fleet and assigns new aircraft to its intercontinental routes. One example is the use of six Boeing B747-400F aircraft on its transpacific routes through its cooperation with Polar Air Cargo. In 2009, DHL will start utilizing brand new B777-200LRF wide-body freighters on its Euro-Asia routes through AeroLogic, a joint venture formed with Lufthansa Cargo. DHL has also piloted an initiative to improve the loading density of its cargo aircraft. The initiative will lead to an even more efficient use of space, which in turn will lead to a reduction of flights.
In the area of surface transport DHL Express’ ongoing vehicle replacement program helps to improve the emissions standards of its conventionally-fuelled vehicles. DHL is also testing non-conventionally fuelled vehicles, such as electric vehicles and those powered by biofuels. It also works with its customers to use rail and water transport options which have the lowest CO2 emissions per weight carried.
To improve the CO2 efficiency of its buildings, DHL Express undertakes assessments to see how it can reduce energy consumption. At pilot sites it has introduced measures such as lighting, heating and building controls. DHL also purchases energy from renewable sources, where possible.  
For more information on the GoGreen Program: www.dpwn-gogreen.com
For more information on Climate Counts and the scoreboard: www.climatecounts.org

For more information contact:
Bluelotus Communications
Chitra: chitra@bluelotuspr.com
Ishani: ishani@bluelotuspr.com

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