DHL Freight is adding to its existing service for low-emission transport with GoGreen Plus Flex. This will include three options that are clearly defined. Senders can now choose to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their shipments by 10, 30, or 80 percent (well-to-wheel).
This makes it easier for companies of all sizes to save on transport emissions and book the fitting option. These reductions are tracked using clear calculation and certification processes. Find out what’s behind the new offering, how insetting works, and why the Book & Claim process is crucial.
How Does GoGreen Plus Flex Benefit Senders?
With its new Flex options, DHL Freight is making access to low-emission transport more flexible. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, there are three tiers with different reduction targets and pricing structures. This allows shippers to choose the level of contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport that best aligns with their own strategy and budget.
The offering applies across all of DHL Freight’s core products – from the European general cargo network to full truckload. Thus, customers whose individual shipments do not occupy a full truck can also use the service.
With the different options of GoGreen Plus Flex and its easy booking process, we aim to empower our customers, regardless of the size of their business, to reduce their CO2e emissions from transport. It’s important not only to provide the right carbon intelligence and solutions but also to make them as easy and convenient as possible for all customers.
Dr. Antje Huber
Global Head of Strategy, Marketing and Chief of Staff DHL Freight
What Are the 3 Tiers of GoGreen Plus Flex?
Senders can choose from three options that differ in reduction rate and price level. Greenhouse gas reductions are calculated on a well-to-wheel basis, meaning across the entire fuel cycle, from production to consumption in the vehicle.
| Option | Reduction (well-to-wheel) | Certificate cycle |
| GoGreen Plus BASE | 10% | annually |
| GoGreen Plus SMART | 30% | monthly |
| GoGreen Plus PREMIUM | 80% | monthly |
These different levels are intended to make it easier for companies to enter the program. The BASE level is ideal for senders looking to take their first concrete steps toward reducing their carbon footprint. SMART and PREMIUM are designed for companies with more ambitious climate goals, e.g., those outlined in their Scope 3 strategy.
How Does Insetting Work at DHL Freight?
The reduction is not achieved through external offsetting, but rather through a process known as insetting. DHL Freight reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of its logistics processes by using renewable fuels and alternative drive systems. This mix includes:
- HVO 100 (hydrotreated vegetable oil): an emission-reduced diesel substitute made from biogenic residues
- Bio-LNG and Bio-CNG: liquefied and compressed gas produced from organic waste materials
- Electric trucks: for routes and applications where battery-electric propulsion systems are technically and economically viable
The DHL Freight network already operates more than 1,500 vehicles that run on low-emission fuels or electric power, primarily heavy-duty trucks.
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Why Is Book & Claim So Important?
A key factor in ensuring that GoGreen Plus Flex meets the needs of smaller shippers is the Book & Claim process. This process separates the booking of emissions reductions from the specific physical shipment. The greenhouse gas savings are calculated and allocated to customers, regardless of where the alternative fuels are consumed or the electric trucks are used.
This means that also partial truckloads benefit from the reduction in emissions. As for the network, the greater the number of senders that opt for GoGreen Plus, the greater the overall share of renewable fuels and alternative propulsion systems becomes.
How Are the Reductions Documented?
Each reduction is recorded in a certificate. GoGreen Plus SMART and PREMIUM are certified monthly, and GoGreen Plus BASE is certified annually. These certificates offer companies a transparent record of their greenhouse gas savings and a verifiable basis for their own reporting (e.g., under the CSRD or the GHG Protocol Scope 3).
Therefore, GoGreen Plus Flex addresses the growing need of many senders for measurable and documented emissions reductions throughout the supply chain that can be incorporated into their own reporting systems.
How Does GoGreen Plus Flex Align with DHL Freight’s Strategy?
DHL Freight is committed to reducing all logistics-related emissions to net zero by 2050. GoGreen Plus Flex is a key component of this initiative and a catalyst for further sustainable investment. Revenue from the service funds insetting projects, including alternative propulsion systems and the expansion of DHL Freight’s infrastructure to support the energy transition.
This creates a cycle: shippers reduce their transport emissions, thereby financing the expansion of lower-emission technologies within the network and laying the groundwork for further reduction measures in the coming years.
More Flexibility, More Transparency, Significant Reduction
GoGreen Plus Flex combines what many companies need today: a simple booking process, clearly defined reduction options, and reliable documentation for sustainability reports. The BASE, SMART, and PREMIUM options make the transition to low-emission transport feasible for companies of all sizes, from medium-sized manufacturers to international corporations.
