• GeoPost/DPDgroup submits short-term decarbonisation programme and long-term net zero target for review by the Science-Based Targets initiative

• Commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% (by 2030) and by 90% (by 2040) compared to the base year 2020

• Implementation measures also to be applied by DPD's German business unit
  
  

Aschaffenburg, 11.08.2022 – As a pioneer on the parcels market GeoPost/DPDgroup is taking long-term measures to achieve net zero emissions[1] by 2040. For this purpose the company has submitted its strategy for review to the Science-Based Targets initiative. DPD Germany is supporting the decarbonisation programme with measures in the areas of the first and last mile, long-distance transport and electrification.

Against the backdrop of rapid growth in e-commerce and parcel deliveries, GeoPost/DPDgroup is accelerating its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To this end the company has submitted ambitious sustainability targets and implementation plans to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which supports companies worldwide in reducing emissions based on the latest climate science.  In doing so GeoPost/DPDgroup commits to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3)[2] by 90% by 2040 compared to the base year 2020. In addition, all remaining emissions are to be offset by means of climate protection projects.

The company expects the decarbonisation roadmap to be approved by the initiative in the first quarter of 2023.

Each of the 20 largest DPD business units in Europe is required to implement the net zero target. DPD Germany supports the ambitious target set in Paris: "The initiative enables us to adapt our targets to the latest scientific findings and supports us in setting the course for implementation," explains Gerd Seber, Group Manager City Logistics & Sustainability at DPD Germany. The German business unit will play its part in achieving the targets in particular by expanding existing projects in the areas of the first and last mile, long-distance transport and electrification.

With the expansion of our locally emissions-free delivery in the largest German city centres, we already have an ambitious programme to significantly reduce our emissions by 2030.
Gerd Seber, Group Manager City Logistics & Sustainability

Since 2021 DPD Germany has been working closely with the eCargobike manufacturer ONOMOTION to electrify the last mile with electric vans and cargo bikes. This not only saves CO2 on the last mile, but also reduces automobile traffic and contributes to cleaner and more traffic-free inner cities.

"However, our efforts are not limited to the last mile - we have also set ourselves clear targets in long-distance transport and at our branches. In this way, even if parcel volumes continue to grow, we aim to reduce our emissions in absolute terms and make it possible to achieve the global 1.5 degree target," Seber adds. As part of the DPD@Rail project, up to 5% of delivery traffic is initially to be shifted to rail. So far trains carrying DPD parcels are running between Duisburg and Hamburg and between Duisburg and Leipzig. Further train connections are also planned between Lehrte and Nuremberg as well as Cologne and Munich (Erftstadt - Neufahrn).

 

[1] Net zero emissions means the reduction of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to zero and the neutralisation of all remaining emissions. (Source: SBTi Net Zero Standard)

[2] Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company sources. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy. Scope 3 emissions are all additional indirect emissions that occur in the value chain. (Source: GHG Protocol)