DHL Freight Green Technology Roadmap: A Sustainable Path to the Future

Transport and logistics account for 5.5 percent of global CO₂e emissions. The logistics industry is facing what is perhaps its greatest challenge: to reduce emissions as much as possible through eco-friendly practices. In this time of change, DHL Freight is leading the way in green logistics. Check out our DHL Freight Green Technology Roadmap to discover how we are working with you to make road freight more sustainable.

Green Technology Roadmap Sets the Course for DHL Freight

It is in the nature of the logistics industry that the movement of goods consumes energy and can cause emissions. As globalization continues, both volumes and distances will increase in the long term. At the same time, globalized trade on a fair basis offers growth opportunities for everyone. The goal must therefore be to make this valuable economic exchange as sustainable as possible.

There are already fuels and technologies available that can reduce the carbon footprint of logistics. It is the responsibility of market participants to harness this potential today and thus drive development forward. DHL Freight accepts this responsibility and develops sustainable solutions without compromising customer experience. DHL Freight not only wants to minimize its own environmental footprint but also wants to be a sustainability pioneer and revolutionize the transport and logistics industry as a whole – and take its partners and customers with it on the path to green logistics.

DHL Freight’s new White Paper on the Green Technology Roadmap shows what we are already doing, which technologies are trendsetting and how we intend to implement them step by step.

We still have a long way to go to achieve net-zero emissions. But we have our sights set firmly on the goal – and we already know the route to get there. Our DHL Freight Green Technology Roadmap outlines that route. We remain open to new technologies, continue to evolve our services and products, and drive innovation that will make tomorrow’s logistics climate neutral.

Dr. Christoph Schönwandt, VP GoGreen DHL Freight

Technology Is the Foundation of Progress – Also in Sustainability

DHL Group set the first clear signal for sustainable logistics in 2008 with the launch of the GoGreen program. Over the years, we have successively improved our CO₂ efficiency. The long-term, overarching goal towards which we are heading with our roadmap is defined by Mission 2050, which the DHL Group announced in 2017: net-zero emissions by 2050.

From “Burn Less” to “Burn Clean”

The Technology Roadmap illustrates how we intend to achieve our ambitious goals. Today, we can already use many technologies to optimize our carbon footprint. Others are only working on a small scale. And some are still being tested. All of the approaches that show promise in the short to long term are worth developing further to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions.

In our Green Technology Roadmap, we distinguish between

• short-term levers: process optimization and minor improvements
• medium-term levers: introduction of low-emission technologies
• long-term levers: implementation of zero-emission technologies

Milestones of the Green Technology Roadmap

In the Green Technology Roadmap, we present the key technologies and strategic approaches for our path to zero emissions concisely, but with the necessary depth of detail. It provides insight into these innovative solutions, concepts and technologies:

• Digital tool RAPTOR: an algorithm that optimizes route planning. RAPTOR improves truck utilization, resulting in considerable savings in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Intermodal transport solutions that combine rail and road take advantage of both systems and reduce the carbon footprint compared to road-only transportation.
• Bio-CNG: compressed biogas as a truck fuel reduces emissions, especially on short and medium hauls.
• Bio-LNG: liquefied biogas is a low-emission alternative, especially for long-distance transportation.
• HVO: hydrogenated vegetable oil from renewable resources is a suitable bridge solution for medium-duty trucks.
• Battery electric vehicles eliminate direct emissions and enable zero emissions when the electricity comes from renewable sources.
• Green hydrogen is suitable for both fuel cell and internal combustion engines. If the operating costs and availability of green hydrogen are optimized, hydrogen could play a key role alongside electromobility as the zero-emission technology of the future.

We cannot achieve our goals alone. We need our customers, partners, and employees. Global challenges can only be mastered together.

Dr. Christoph Schönwandt, VP GoGreen DHL Freight

Sustainability in Logistics Requires Cooperation

At a time when the impact of the logistics industry on the environment is undisputed, sustainability is an imperative. DHL is convinced that sustainable management also brings economic benefits. Accordingly, more and more companies expect environmentally friendly solutions from their logistics partners. We are committed to exceeding these expectations, and the DHL Freight Green Technology Roadmap is an expression of that commitment.

Sustainability in logistics is a shared responsibility. Successful integration of alternative technologies demands continuous cooperation between industry partners, investment in infrastructure expansion, ongoing research and development, and the implementation of new policy guidelines to stimulate demand and investment.

DHL Freight’s success in achieving its environmental goals also depends on our customers. We are excited to work with them towards a greener future and to offer market-leading solutions, such as our GoGreen Plus service. DHL Freight is proud to be at the forefront of green logistics. Our commitment is to inspire the entire logistics industry and encourage positive change.