GoGreen FAQs

The year 2010 ranked as the warmest year on record, together with 2005 and 1998, confirming the Earth's significant long-term warming trend. As the concentration of greenhouse gases grows, more heat is trapped in the atmosphere and less escapes back into space. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which influence the length of seasons, cause coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms which we have witnessed recently. Some scientists believe this warming trend is a result of an increase in levels of CO2 emissions that are driving the increase in the world's overall temperature as heat is trapped by greenhouse gases and can not escape the atmosphere at the same extent as historically.

The United States is the second-largest source of such heat-trapping gases, after China, and is a huge producer, consumer and net user of energy. Total emissions of greenhouse gases were 5.5 billion metric tons in 2009, down from 5.92 billion in 2008 and 6.12 billion in 2007, the last pre-recession year. In January 2010, President Barack Obama announced that the Federal Government will reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by 28 percent by 2020.

GoGreen is our environmental protection program that minimizes the impact of our actions on the environment by using resources in a responsible manner. In 2008, DPDHL became the first major logistics player to communicate a carbon efficiency target. It is part of GoGreen, a program committed to improve the CO2 efficiency of our operations by 30% by the year 2020, compared to our 2007 baseline. To accomplish this, we are focusing on optimizing air and vehicle fleets, increasing energy efficiency in our buildings, testing innovative technology, motivating employees to act climate-conscious and involving our subcontractors and customers. The GoGreen program represents DPDHL's commitment to more climate-friendly transport of goods.

Under the motto 'Living Responsibility' we have developed a comprehensive approach for fulfilling our corporate responsibility. We’re committed to make a positive impact on the future. Our Living Responsibility philosophy has three aspects: environmental protection, disaster management and education in the form of three corporate programs: GoGreen, GoHelp and GoTeach.

For years the logistics industry has benefited from fast economic growth and the increase in world trade. However, growth in industries and services comes at the cost of rising greenhouse gas emissions, which are seen as the prime cause for global warming. With a share of 13 percent in global emissions, the transport sector – and thus the logistics industry – has a special responsibility in the global battle against climate change. Energy efficiency, coupled with dependency on fossil fuels and associated green house gas emissions, is the largest ecological challenge that we face in the transportation sector. As a group, we are looking at innovative ways to reduce our resource use and carbon footprint, while responding to the demands of customers who are looking for environmentally-responsible shipping options.

DHL GOGREEN Carbon Neutral is an optional service designed to provide customers with an environmentally responsible shipping option. For a service charge, CO2 emissions at an account and shipment level are calculated and then offset by reinvesting in Gold standard climate protection projects selected by Deutsche Post DHL.

For a service charge of USD 0.06 per pound for exports and USD 0.06 per half kilo for imports and with a minimum of USD 0.12 per shipment, these emissions are offset by reinvesting in certified carbon management projects such as biomass, landfill and wind farm. This service is offered on all International shipments. Customers can choose to send all or a selection of their shipments as GOGREEN.

As of end of 2011, DHL offered its DHL GOGREEN services in more than 45 countries worldwide, including many markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the US.

In 2011, DHL Express sent approximately 2.4 million ‘green’ shipments which is 29,713 metric tons of carbon emissions that were offset in environmental protection projects.

Carbon neutral shipping means that DPDHL calculates the carbon emissions caused by transporting and handling letters, parcels or express shipments and offsets them by investing in high-quality climate protection projects.

In many processes, carbon emissions cannot be completely eliminated. That is why an offset is created that reestablishes climate-neutrality. This is possible because greenhouse gases, most of which are made of up of carbon dioxide emissions, have a damaging effect on the entire planet.

DPDHL's Carbon Management Program is a voluntary system for offsetting carbon and reducing emissions. It is in line with the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol and the aim to minimize global greenhouse emissions. If a customer decides to offset their parcels and goods with DHL GOGREEN Carbon Neutral, Carbon Management calculates the carbon emissions down to kilos or pounds. To accomplish this, emissions are evaluated according to a uniform process based on the customer’s shipping profile at individual shipment level and the resulting production of greenhouse gases during it's transport. The emissions are entered into the carbon-offset accounting records and then offset in high quality climate-protection projects.

In 2011, DHL Express U.S. rolled out an all “green” fleet of commercial delivery vehicles in Manhattan, our largest pickup and delivery facility in the U.S., to help reduce its impact on the city’s environment. As of October 1, 2011, DHL Express operates 37% American-made, battery-powered electric vans and 63% hybrid trucks in Manhattan that cut down fossil fuel use and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50 percent each year in comparison to conventional vehicles, helping the city’s goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

For a service charge of USD 0.06 per pound for exports and USD 0.06 per half kilo for imports and with a minimum of USD 0.12 per international shipment, carbon emissions are offset on your behalf by reinvesting in certified carbon management projects such as biomass, landfill and wind farm. Customers who sign up for the GoGreen service will contribute to high quality climate protection projects designed to reduce the amount of CO2 generated by their shipments.

The service is available for international shipments and is available to customers in any country.