DHL Express launches new sustainable fuel delivery service

Delivery service DHL Express launched a new service yesterday, GoGreen Plus, which allows customers to have their packages shipped with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).  

The logistics giant is joining multiple companies who are initiating more sustainable business practices, as consumers become increasingly aware of environmental issues.  

In a first for global express carriers, customers in the UK will be able to choose GoGreen Plus shipping through online platform MyDHL+ from this month onwards.  

This will then be followed by Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Australia, South Africa and the UAE before opened up globally over the next few months.  

DHL says SAFs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% over its lifecycle compared to generic jet fuel which will help the company to fulfil aims of becoming net-zero by 2050. DHL also has interim targets of using 30% SAF for all air transport by 2030.  

John Pearson, CEO DHL Express, says: ‘We know our customers are committed to reducing their environmental impact so it’s important we’re giving them the means to do so. I’m delighted that our investment in SAF can now be fully leveraged by customers to enable them to bring down the emissions of their shipments. SAF is currently the primary route to reducing carbon emissions in aviation, so this is the most effective way to help our customers make their own supply chains more sustainable.’ 

SAF for the delivery service will be provided by oil company Neste and BP which has been heavily criticised recently for scaling back climate commitments after announcing record profits in the wake of the energy crisis.  

The firm had initially agreed to reduce its carbon emissions by 35-40% by 2030 but said it was now aiming for a 20-30% reduction. 

SAFs are often touted as a solution to aviation emissions, but these fuels still emit CO2, with most carbon savings coming from the production stage.  

You can read more about the future of avaiation and whether the industry will ever truly be sustainable over on our sister site AirQualityNews. 

Photo by qiwei yang