8 Billion Won Investment Achieves 90% Carbon Reduction! DHL's Eco-Friendly Transformation

Hello, this is GLEC, a company specializing in carbon emission measurement for the logistics and transportation industry. 🌍

Would you believe it if airplanes flew using fuel made from used cooking oil? DHL is already making this a reality. Today, let's explore how DHL is leading the logistics industry's eco-friendly transformation through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon-neutral buildings, and smart networks.

✈️ Revolution in the Sky: From Used Cooking Oil to Aviation Fuel

In the logistics industry, air transport is the main culprit of carbon emissions. For DHL Express, 90% of total carbon emissions come from the air network. To solve this problem, DHL made bold investments.

Amazing Results of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) 🛫:

Made from renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil and sugarcane
Up to 80% carbon emission reduction compared to existing fossil fuels
As of 2024, 3.5% of DHL's own aircraft use SAF (17 times the industry average of 0.2%)
Goal to expand to 30% or more by 2030

Large-Scale SAF Supply Contracts 💼:

Neste: Supply of 300,000 tons annually until 2030 (approximately 375 billion won)
World Energy: 667 million liters over 7 years
bp & Neste: Over 800 million liters over 5 years
IAG Cargo: Additional 60 million liters by 2025
Singapore Changi Airport: Asia's largest 7,400-ton contract

Through these large-scale investments, DHL plans to reduce approximately 2 million tons of CO2 emissions over the next five years, equivalent to the greenhouse gases emitted by 400,000 passenger cars annually.

🏢 Buildings That Breathe: Carbon-Neutral Logistics Centers

DHL's eco-friendly strategy doesn't stop at transportation. All newly constructed logistics centers and offices are designed as carbon-neutral buildings.

Innovation at UK Coventry Logistics Center 🌟:

UK's first operational carbon-neutral new building spanning 900,000 square feet
Achieved BREEAM 'Outstanding' certification (highest grade)
Self-produces over 40% of total electricity with 3,000 solar panels
Peak-hour power management with customized battery storage system
Annual 135-ton CO2 reduction with air-source heat pumps
Installation of 30 electric vehicle charging stations

Eco-Friendly Design of Netherlands Weert Warehouse 🏗️:

Achieved WELL Platinum building standard (highest employee wellbeing grade)
BREEAM Excellent certification
100% renewable energy use with rooftop solar panels
Rainwater recycling system meets water demand
Bio-friendly design for employees (indoor green walls, etc.)

Energy Efficiency of UK Camberley Facility ⚡:

Achieved EPC A+ grade (highest energy efficiency grade)
Nearly 100% operation with solar energy
Energy use minimization with IoT technology
Use of low-carbon materials and equipment
Daily processing capacity of 10,000 parcels

🔄 Book & Claim: A New Paradigm of Carbon Reduction

DHL's GoGreen Plus service uses an innovative approach of 'reduction' rather than traditional carbon 'offsetting'.

How the Book & Claim System Works 📊:

Book: Customer selects GoGreen Plus service
Investment: Additional fees are 100% used for SAF purchases
Usage: DHL uses SAF in global network
Claim: Customer receives verified carbon reduction certificate

The advantage of this system is that even if SAF is not physically used on the same aircraft as the customer's cargo, actual carbon reduction occurs throughout the entire network.

GoGreen Plus Options 🎯:

Basic Option: 20-30% CO2 reduction
Custom Option: 10-70% CO2 reduction (contract basis)
Maximum Option: 80% CO2 reduction (maximum SAF efficiency)

Since the service launch in 2023, tens of thousands of customers in the Asia-Pacific region alone have selected this service, greatly helping companies achieve their ESG goals.

🗺️ Smart Network: The Wisdom of Reducing Distance

DHL is fundamentally reducing carbon emissions by redesigning the logistics network itself.

CityHub Strategy 🏙️:

Small logistics hubs strategically placed on urban outskirts
Dramatically shortened last-mile delivery distances
Short delivery sections facilitate electric vehicle adoption
26 new hubs under construction according to BREEAM standards

Network Optimization Effects 📈:

Annual reduction of millions of kilometers in delivery vehicle operation
Improved fuel efficiency by avoiding urban traffic congestion
Efficient utilization of electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Enhanced customer satisfaction through shortened delivery times

💡 Combination of Innovative Technologies: Challenges Toward the Future

DHL is achieving carbon neutrality goals by combining various advanced technologies.

Automation and AI Utilization 🤖:

Energy-efficient facility management with autonomous cleaning robots
Optimized packaging material use with mobile packaging robots
Maximized transportation efficiency with AI-based route optimization
Energy use monitoring with real-time building management systems

Alternative Fuel Diversification ⛽:

HVO100 (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil): Fossil fuel alternative made from waste
Electricity: Main power for last-mile delivery
Hydrogen: Future technology for long-distance truck transport
Biogas: Used in CNG trucks

🏆 Results and Recognition: Change by Numbers

DHL's eco-friendly efforts are yielding substantial results:

2024 Key Achievements 📊:

Logistics-related greenhouse gas emissions: 33.77 million tons (exceeded target)
1.584 million tons CO2 reduction through decarbonization measures
Electric delivery vehicles: 42,004 units (doubled since 2021)
SAF usage ratio: 3.5% (leading the logistics industry)

Investment Scale 💰:

£482 million (approximately 800 billion won) investment in UK infrastructure
Largest scale single electric truck contract in Germany (30 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 units)
Annual hundreds of billions of won investment in SAF purchases

🚀 Roadmap Toward 2030

DHL's journey toward carbon zero continues:

2030 Goals 🎯:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 29 million tons
66% or more electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles
30% or more alternative fuel usage across all transportation modes
100% carbon-neutral design for new buildings

2050 Final Goal 🌟:

Achieve complete carbon neutrality
Offset unavoidable emissions with certified carbon removal technologies

Conclusion

DHL's eco-friendly logistics transformation is not just a cost but an investment for the future. The combination of SAF, carbon-neutral buildings, and smart networks is setting new standards for the logistics industry and has become the core competitiveness that positioned DHL as the world's 3rd largest logistics company. 🏅

Is your company ready to transition to eco-friendly logistics?

#DHL #CarbonNeutral #SustainableAviationFuel #SAF #EcoFriendlyBuildings #BREEAM #GoGreenPlus #CarbonReduction #ESGManagement #GreenLogistics

For carbon emission measurement consultation and inquiries, please visit the GLEC website.

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