Living Responsability

Green Freight: Road to sustainable transport

When askeed about Green Freight Europe (GFE), Bjorn Hannappel is keen to
talk. Part of DPHLS Go Green team, and GFE proyect the scheme: The
Group takes its carbn efficiency target seriusly. Road freight accounts for
about 25% of our emissions. And as subcontrantors generate most of our
CO2 output, it makes sence to help them cut theirs.
Launched in March 2012, GFE focuses on thing like fuel consumption,
mileage and fleet profiles. It provides a collaborate plafform where shippers
and carries enter operational date to calculate, valide and benchmark their
green performarce. Some 65 companies fly the GFE flag, among them
DPDHL and other big names like UPS, Dow, P&G, Heineken, and TNT
Express.
The reporting tool allowing members to input their data has just gone
online, says Hannappel. We expect membership to grow as the news
spreads. The information gathered will flow into the firs anual GFE report,
showingthe state of the logistics market relative to carbn emissions in
Europe Therell be Little data available because the scheme is so new, but
it will give people an idea of what to expect, Companies can see how GFE
can serve their own Green programs
Apart from identifitying the most carbn efficient carries, GFE helps develop
those who want to improve but lack the resources to do so. Technology
Exchange and financing mechanisms provides smaller member companies
with the means to invets in greener fletes.
As a voluntary, industry driven movement, GFE is managed by its
members. Representing DPHL, Hannappel chair both the main Steering
Group and the External Stakeholders Management Working Group. Our
next GFE General Metting is in the Netherlands on December 5. Thats when
ll present the first report. The industry, national goverments and the EU are
keen to see the results.
Green Freight Asia
Similar moves are underway in Asia akey regin in global logitic flows. Many
GFE companies have signed up to the Green Freight Asia Network (GFAN).
As no regional EU- type body exist, GFAN is headed by the DHL-funded
Sustainable Supply Chain Center Asia Pacifict. The Clean Air Asia Initiative
for Asian Cities (CAI- Asia) acts as neutral secretariat to bring the network
together. It Works closely with GFE to produce a blue-print that will aid
country by country take- up and harmonize reporting.
Two country initiatives are already in place. Green Freight India is operated
by DHL and German development agency GIZ. The China Green Freight
initiative is goverment- led, with input from CAI-Asi, the Wold Bank, and
relevant staketoders DPDHL.