As we face the challenges of the climate emergency, it is clear that sustainability must be at the forefront of our efforts, and collaboration is the most effective route to achieve progress. Many companies that have gone carbon neutral are also leaders in ESG performance. A company’s ESG performance is evaluated based on factors such as its carbon footprint, diversity and inclusion policies, employee treatment, community engagement, and board diversity. Investors use these criteria to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of a company’s operations. As investors and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, companies that prioritize both carbon neutrality and ESG performance are likely to be better positioned for long-term success.
In March 2017, the Deutsche Post DHL Group announced its mission for 2050, centered around the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions, and has already accomplished significant milestones toward this goal. The DHL Group just hosted its first global summit, The Era of Sustainable Logistics, from 25th-27th April, 2023 in Valencia, Spain, the European Green Capital for 2024. This event brought together over 1,000 experts across industries to collaborate, develop innovative solutions, and take yet another step towards greener, cleaner logistics. This has been a great forum for exchange of ideas and insights, and co-creating the future of global supply chains together.
At this event, the DHL Group updated its stakeholders on the progress of its sustainability roadmap focusing on the topics of electrification, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon-neutral buildings, and alternative green services. DHL has over 30,000 e-vehicles currently in its delivery fleet worldwide, will soon have up to 12 fully electric cargo planes, and has secured over 830 million liters of SAF until 2026. More than half of its facilities are carbon-neutral, with over 76 buildings designed according to new environmental guidelines.
Earlier in 2023, DHL Express launched GoGreen Plus, a new service that allows customers to reduce carbon emissions associated with their shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This service is now available only in the UK, but will shortly become available to all DHL Express customers globally later this year.
Customers will be given the chance to tailor the CO2 emission reduction they want to achieve and the amount of SAF they use. When using MyDHL+, the company’s online shipping and tracking platform, customers will have the option to select GoGreen Plus for individual shipments when choosing their shipping service. Collaborations with BP and Neste have made this possible. This innovative SAF is renewable, as it is produced from waste oils. SAF from wastes and residues can provide emission reductions of up to 80 percent over its life cycle compared to the conventional jet fuel that it is designed to replace.
The DHL Group has honored their customers’ commitment to reducing their environmental impact, and has given them the means to do so. The customers can now fully leverage this sustainable option to bring down the emissions of their shipments, and make their own supply chains more sustainable.
Besides the DHL group featured in this post, here is a list of more companies that have made commitments towards going carbon neutral, and have reported progress in their ESG performances.
- Microsoft: In January 2020, Microsoft announced that it had become carbon negative, meaning that it removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. The company plans to eliminate its historical carbon emissions by 2050. In addition to its carbon neutral commitment, Microsoft has also made significant investments in renewable energy, with a goal of being 100% renewable by 2025. The company has also committed to diversity and inclusion, and has implemented initiatives to increase access to technology for underrepresented communities.
- Amazon: In September 2019, Amazon announced its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040, and to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. The company has invested in renewable energy projects and is working to electrify its delivery fleet.
- Unilever: In 2020, Unilever announced its carbon neutrality achievement across its global operations. The company has also committed to sourcing 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Besides, Unilever has also committed to reduce waste and increase sustainability across its supply chain. The company has implemented initiatives to promote gender equality and has committed to sustainable sourcing of all its agricultural raw materials by 2023.
- Nestle: In 2021, Nestle declared its carbon neutrality achievement across its global operations. The company has also committed to achieving net zero emissions by
- Danone: In 2020, Danone announced that it is globally carbon neutral. The company has also set a net zero target by Danone has a comprehensive ESG strategy that includes commitments to reducing its carbon footprint, improving animal welfare, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The company has also implemented initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion and to improve its relationships with local communities.
- Apple: In 2020, Apple announced that it had become carbon neutral for its corporate operations, and that it aims to have a net zero carbon footprint by 2030. The company has also committed to transitioning its entire supply chain to renewable Apple’s carbon neutrality commitment is part of a larger sustainability strategy that includes investments in renewable energy, the use of recycled materials in its products, and initiatives to reduce waste. The company has also made commitments to improving working conditions in its supply chain and increasing diversity and inclusion.
- Salesforce: In 2020, Salesforce announced that it had achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions and 100% renewable energy for its global operations. The company has also committed to achieving net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050. Salesforce has made significant investments in renewable energy and has achieved100% renewable energy for its global operations. The company has also implemented initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion and has made commitments to improving its environmental impact across its supply chain.
- Ikea: In 2020, Ikea announced that it had achieved carbon neutrality across its global operations. The company has also committed to becoming a circular and climate positive business by 2030.
While climate-positive corporate initiatives are indeed promising for a sustainable and secure future, it is worth mentioning that achieving carbon neutrality is just one step forward in this direction. More collaborative and concerted efforts such as long-term clean energy investments, and other means to reduce environmental impacts are crucial for the safety and longevity of life on our planet.
