The FINANCIAL -- Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading mail and logistics group, has
gained United Nations’ approval for its first independent climate
protection project.
By minimising fuel requirements, the efficient wood-burning stoves utilised in the initiative reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to traditional cooking methods. Decreased wood consumption results in reduced deforestation and thus minimises associated soil erosion; moreover, it also makes a positive impact on health by reducing the amount of smoke generated by cooking. The project lives up to the Gold Standard, a seal of quality from environmental organisations, companies and governments which is subject to both ecological and social criteria. The Group expects to be able to make use of the first certified CO2 reductions coming from this project for its CO2-neutral GOGREEN service with effect from mid 2013. And as of 2014, the Group estimates an annual CO2 reduction totalling in excess of 20,000 tons. Since delivery of the first stoves in June 2011, approx. 9,000 tons of CO2 have been saved already.
“Our first independent climate protection project in Lesotho is designed for the long term. It not only relieves the burden on the environment but also helps to make day-to-day life easier for the community”, says Christof Ehrhart, Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL. “We look forward to being able to provide our customers with the first GOGREEN service certificates from the middle of the year.”
As DHL International GmbH reported, Deutsche Post DHL’s GOGREEN service offsets the CO2 emissions generated by the transport of goods for Deutsche Post DHL customers by means of external climate protection projects. The long-term financing and coordination of the climate protection project in Lesotho make it possible to achieve high-quality CO2 reductions for a reasonable price whilst sustainably improving the living conditions of the people of Lesotho. The Gold Standard not only guarantees the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energies, it also ensures that development in the project countries is sustainable and that the local population is involved in designing the project. In order to make the Lesotho climate protection project a reality, Deutsche Post DHL is working in conjunction with atmosfair gGmbH, one of the world’s leading CO2 offsetting agencies and the company to register the first-ever stove project with the UN in 2009.
“According to current figures, 5,200 stoves are now being used in Lesotho every day and distribution is growing all the while – approx. 5,000 more households are set to receive their own stove this year. The first monitoring surveys are also currently underway. These spot checks establish how the stoves are used in households and serve as a basis for the official certification of CO2 savings. The aim is to have 10,000 stoves in working use in Lesotho by the end of the year”, comments Xaver Kitzinger, Project Manager responsible at atmosfair. The joint project of the logistics company and atmosfair is the first in the category Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in Lesotho.
Over and above its own project in Lesotho, Deutsche Post DHL will continue to secure emission reduction certificates from external projects in order to offset 100% of the CO2 emissions generated by its GOGREEN customers. The Group is currently buying credits from various climate protection projects with Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Gold Standard credentials. Furthermore, the CO2 offsetting process is compliant with the UN’s Kyoto protocol.
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