Group offers climate-neutral shipping solution / Federal Environmental Minister Gabriel welcomes model initiative
On 1 August 2006, the Post subsidiary DHL will become the first logistics service provider to offer its private customers a climate-neutral shipping solution. In the presence of the German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Dr. Claude Béglé, Chairman of the Divisional Board Express Germany, and Dr. Monika Wulf-Mathies, Managing Director Corporate Public Policy and Sustainability at Deutsche Post World Net, today presented the concept of the new environmental protection initiative.
Environmentally conscious customers can opt for the 'Pluspäckchen GoGreen'. With this shipping solution, all CO2 emissions created by transporting the parcel will be calculated and offset by internal company and external climate protection projects. 10 cent of each purchased package will flow into these projects. The environmentally friendly parcel product is part of the GoGreen Initiative with which Deutsche Post World Net works to cut CO2 emissions. The transparency and integrity of this environmental initiative have been examined and approved by an independent external certification organisation.
Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed the model initiative at Deutsche Post World Net: "Germany remains at the forefront of environmental protection and will reach its Kyoto goal by 2012 with a 21 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. To do so, private companies and the government alike must take the initiative. The GoGreen project at Deutsche Post World Net is a trendsetter that could serve as a model for other companies."
Sustainable business practices are embedded in Deutsche Post World Net's corporate strategy. "With the GoGreen Initiative, we are accepting our responsibility for the environment and are responding to the driving principle behind the Kyoto Protocol that calls for reductions in CO2 emissions created during transport," Dr. Monika Wulf-Mathies said. At the same time, the Group is responding to the demands of many customers who are looking for an environmentally friendly shipping option. "As the world's leading logistics company, we want to offer innovative and sustainable logistics concepts to all our customers - from the package itself to environmentally friendly transport," Dr. Claude Béglé said.
Deutsche Post World Net is investing the major share of environmental protection money in the company projects devoted to alternative vehicles and fuels. With this effort, the Group is working closely with vehicle manufacturers and fuel producers as well as with research institutions to promote future-oriented and sustainable technology. Deutsche Post World Net also supports external projects, including the capture of methane gas in Germany, the promotion of solar energy in Southeast Asia and the reforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rain forest.
By launching the GoGreen Initiative, the Group is underscoring its innovation leadership in the logistics sector. From the end of this year, these and other innovations will be explored, developed and brought to market maturity at the DHL Innovation Center in Troisdorf near Bonn, a new facility that recently held its topping-off ceremony.
Contacts for press queries:
Bundesumweltministerium
Michael Schroeren
Tel. 030 28550-2010
Email: presse@bmu.bund.de
Deutsche Post World Net
Monika Schneider / Katrin Krause
Tel.: 0228 182-9944
Email: pressestelle@deutschepost.de