DHL's Blue Dart launches "carbon neutral" shipping in India

DHL and its Indian express courier subsidiary Blue Dart Express have launched the country’s first end-to-end “carbon neutral” service for international and domestic shipments. The service is an extension of Deutsche Post DHL’s global “GoGreen” initiative launched back in 2008.

The companies said it would allow customers to pay a premium charge in order to offset the carbon emissions generated by their shipments. The charge will be calculated based on the shipment’s weight and delivery distance.

Offset fees will be invested by Geneva-based verification corporation SGS, with a certificate then issued to customers each year to declare the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions that has been offset.

The GoGreen Carbon Neutral Service will be available across all Blue Dart-DHL Express services, including domestic priority, Dart Apex, Dart Surface Line and International products including documents and parcels.

It will also be available on Express Easy and Import Express services, as well as on customised services such as Temperature Controlled Logistics.

Malcolm Monteiro, the DHL Express senior vice president and area director for South Asia, said the new service would allow his company’s customers to be “co-stakeholders” in efforts to improve the environmental impact of shipments.

“Since the launch of the environment protection programme in 2008, we have seen a lot of interest from customers who already have sustainability on their agenda. Through this roll-out in India, we will enable customers to be responsible social citizens.”

“Top performers”

DHL said its Indian operations and Blue Dart were among the “top performers” in the global logistics giant’s register of carbon footprints.

Last year, DHL Express India achieved a 6% improvement in its “carbon efficiency”, although overall carbon dioxide emissions increased 13.6% with the booming economy. Blue Dart recorded a 6.5% efficiency improvement, although its overall emissions rose 18.5% in 2010 compared to 2009.

The company said efficiency improvements were achieved by switching to cleaner fuels, including compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

Since the summer, Blue Dart has been trialing a new “intelligent” truck that can reduce emissions by optimising its routes.

Anil Khanna, the managing director for Blue Dart Express, said the GoGreen initiative would not only mean greener shipping for his customers, but would also help to fund climate protection projects.

He said: “We are acknowledged for the product innovations, infrastructure as well as sustainability initiatives and are considered as a lighthouse for other logistics companies in Blue Dart Country.”