DHL Logbook - in cooperation with

Technical University Darmstadt

Environmentally friendly shipping with GOGREEN

The sensible form of shipping for the environment

In many cases, it is just not possible to completely use environmentally friendly
technologies. For this reason, even very environmentally friendly companies
will continue to emit greenhouse gases for the foreseeable future. But these
companies can still do something for the climate and negate the emissions by
supporting specific projects. Deutsche Post World Net has introduced such a
product for the letters and parcels: GOGREEN makes CO2-neutral shipments
possible.

GOGREEN: parcels for CO2 neutral Certificate for GOGREEN customers

shipping

It takes time to reduce the emission of greenhouse

gases
In an overarching agreement, the Kyoto Protocol requires signatory states to
undertake measures aimed at stopping global warming. It affirms that the
environment is a shared resource whose stability is impaired by greenhouse
gases like carbon dioxide.
For this reason, a direct reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases plays an
important role for companies around the world. In many cases, though, it is just
not possible to completely use environmentally friendly technologies. One
reason is that extremely high investments are necessary. Another is that many
alternative technologies have not been sufficiently developed. Consequently, it
will take at least several more years until vehicle fleets can be completely
converted to environmentally friendly technologies. But scientists maintain that
immediate action must be taken if climate change is to be slowed at the very
least.
The conflict can be solved to a certain extent. Companies whose activities emit
greenhouse gases can invest in projects that help reduce the greenhouse
effect. Every single consumer can decide whether he or she is willing to pay a
higher price in order to ensure that the environmental impact of his or her
consumption decision is kept to a minimum. Examples can be found in the
automotive industry and among airlines. For instance, a consumer can
purchase a somewhat more expensive, but environmentally friendly vehicle. Or
when buying an airline ticket, he or she can select an option that will provide
financial support to an environmental project.
The logistics sector also offers such service: Deutsche Post World Net, the

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parent company of DHL, has developed a product segment called GOGREEN.

GOGREEN - the innovative solution for CO2-

neutral shipments
In the summer of 2005, Deutsche Post World Net launched a strategic project
that was developed as a result of environmental and commercial
considerations. The objective was to determine in a detailed study how
emissions and fuel consumption in European road transports could be
reduced. In the process, a completely new product segment was discovered:
CO2-neutral parcel shipments. This was the birth of the GOGREEN brand.
In 2006, a Group-wide team put together the details of the new GOGREEN
services. This team included employees of technological and innovation
management, the DHL EXPRESS business department and the Central
Policies and Sustainability Department. The first milestone in this climate-
protection initiative was the GOGREEN product range for business customers.
In 2006, GOGREEN products began to be offered to private customers as well.
For a maximum of 10 euro cents over the normal price or frequently for no
extra charge at all , DHL offsets all carbon-dioxide emissions produced by the
shipment with internal or external environmental-protection programs.

Calculating carbon-dioxide emissions

A special tool was developed to calculate carbon-dioxide emissions: ACCEPT
- or “Automated Customer Calculation of Environmental Performance Tool.”
This tool automatically calculates the carbon-dioxide emissions of each
individual shipment. The calculation takes note of every route segment and
every means of transport.
For DHL customers, ACCEPT keeps a record of the total amount of carbon-
dioxide emissions offset by projects. The entire carbon-management process
is reviewed by the certification firm SGS Group according to ISO 14064-I.

Examples of projects supported by GOGREEN

Deutsche Post World Net invests the additional income generated by
GOGREEN products in programs that save or remove the amount of carbon
dioxide generated during the shipment. Deutsche Post World Net
accomplishes much of this through internal projects, including the use of
alternative drive systems or fuels in vehicles. The objective of this work is to
improve the range and stability of these drive systems and to gain knowledge
that can be applied for serial production of these vehicles. A number of well-
known makers of commercial vehicles are technology partners in this effort.
External projects are supported as well. In Southeast Asia, Deutsche Post
World Net is helping solar-energy projects. And in Latin America, the company
is financing the reforestation of rain forests.

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The GOGREEN system GOGREEN at DHL Express

References

URL
http://www.dhl-
discoverlogistics.com/cms/en/course/technologies/climate/environment.jsp

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