Accelerated Roadmap to decarbonization: Deutsche Post DHL Group decides on Science Based Targets and invests EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics until 2030

• New sustainability roadmap defines ambitious sustainability targets
• Group decides
  on “Science Based Targets” and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with
  the Paris Climate Agreement
• To this
  end, the Group will invest EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics by 2030
• By 2030,
  80,000 e-vehicles shall be deployed for last-mile deliveries, resulting in 60%
  electrification of the fleet
• Management Board compensation to be linked to new sustainability roadmap
• CEO Frank Appel: “We are turning our yellow Group into a green
  company and making an important contribution to our planet and society.”

SINGAPORE – Media
OutReach – 22 March 2021 – The world’s leading logistics company Deutsche Post
DHL Group is increasing the pace of its planned decarbonization of the company.
To this end, the Group is investing a total of EUR 7 billion (Opex and Capex) over
the next ten years in measures to reduce its CO2 emissions. The funds will flow
in particular into alternative aviation fuels, the expansion of the
zero-emission e-vehicle fleet and climate-neutral buildings. Along the way
towards its zero emissions target by 2050, which has already been in force for
4 years, the company is committing to new, ambitious interim targets. For example,
Deutsche Post DHL Group commits as part of the acclaimed Science Based Target
initiative (SBTi) to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with
the Paris Climate Agreement. The climate targets are part of Deutsche Post DHL
Group’s new sustainability roadmap, in which the company sets out its ESG goals
for the next years. In addition to its commitment to the environment, the Group
also defines clear targets and measures in the areas of social responsibility
and governance.

 

The Board of Management and Supervisory Board of
Deutsche Post DHL Group will propose to shareholders at the next Annual General
Meeting that the remuneration system for the Board of Management will be
aligned even more closely with sustainable business development. In the future,
the achievement of ESG targets will be taken into account when calculating the
remuneration of the Board of Management – a clear signal that the commitment to
sustainable business is a top priority at Deutsche Post DHL Group.

 

“As the world’s largest logistics company, it is
our responsibility to lead the way and guide the logistics industry into a
sustainable future. We are turning our yellow Group into a green company and
making an important contribution to our planet and society,” says Frank
Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group. “I am convinced that by focusing
even more on our ESG goals, we will remain the first choice for customers,
employees and investors – and thus lay the foundation for long-term economic
success.”

 

A commitment to sustainability is an integral part of
Deutsche Post DHL Group’s corporate culture. Since 2008, the Group has had
ambitious sustainability targets, for example with regard to CO₂ efficiency. In 2017, the
Group became the first logistics company in the world to set a target of
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To this end, the
company offers numerous innovative solutions to make supply chains more
sustainable and help its customers achieve their environmental goals. With
“Strategy 2025” introduced in 2019, sustainability has become a
fundamental component of the corporate strategy.

 

Frank Appel: “Covid-19 has once again reinforced
the major megatrends of our time: globalization, digitalization, e-commerce and
sustainability – the four drivers of our ‘Strategy 2025’. Of these topics,
sustainability is the most pressing challenge. With our sustainability roadmap,
we are stepping up our efforts and explicitly promoting the Sustainable
Development Goals of the United Nations.”

 

Environment: billions invested in alternative fuels,
e-mobility and climate-neutral buildings

In the fight against climate change, Deutsche Post DHL
Group is committed to ambitious CO2 reduction targets as part of the Science
Based Target Initiative. The Group assumes that its emissions would be around
46 million tons in 2030 without the measures of the new sustainability roadmap.
In 2020, emissions were 33 million tons. Today, the company is committed to
reducing these annual Group CO2 emissions to below 29 million tons by 2030,
despite the expected continued strong growth in global logistics activities.

 

To achieve this, Deutsche Post DHL Group will invest
around EUR 7 billion (Opex and Capex) in climate-neutral logistics solutions by
2030. The expenditures arising from this up to 2023 have already been taken
into account in the guidance up to 2023 communicated on March 9. For short
distances and the last mile, the Group is continuing to drive forward the
electrification of its vehicle fleet. By 2030, 60 percent of global delivery
vehicles for the last mile are to be electrically powered, hence more than 80,000
e-vehicles will be on the road. In 2020, the figure was 18 percent.

 

On longer routes, especially in air transport,
electric drives are not an alternative for the foreseeable future. That is why
Deutsche Post DHL Group is pushing for the development and use of fuels
produced from renewable energies: By 2030, at least 30 percent of fuel
requirements in aviation and line haul are to be covered by sustainable fuels.
In addition, the Group is investing in environment friendly properties (office
space, mail and parcel centers, and logistics warehouses): All new buildings will
be climate-neutral.

 

Frank Appel: “Sustainable, clean fuel
alternatives are elementary for climate-neutral logistics in a globalized
world. In air transport in particular, these could help reduce CO2 emissions.
That’s why we will engage even more intensively in initiatives and strengthen
cross-industry exchange to develop a global strategy and standards here. One
thing is certain: Only by joining forces – across countries and sectors – will
we achieve truly sustainable progress in all areas.”

 

Social responsibility: Promoting diversity and keeping
employee satisfaction at a high level

Based on the corporate values “Respect &
Results”, Deutsche Post DHL Group will also further promote inclusion and
equal opportunities within the organization. The proportion of female
executives in management is supposed to increase from 23.2 percent today to at
least 30 percent by 2025. “Our motivated diverse workforce is the key to
excellent service quality and high customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers
are the basis for economic success. This is another reason why we are convinced
that it is worth actively promoting equal opportunities”, says Thomas
Ogilvie, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director at Deutsche Post DHL
Group.

 

In addition, the Group has set itself the goal of
maintaining the approval rating in the “employee engagement” category
in the annual global employee survey at a consistently high level of above 80.

 

Deutsche Post DHL Group also intends to further expand
its social contribution to society in the coming years. The Group commits to
invest 1 percent of its net profits annually in its social impact programs and
initiatives. The GoTrade program, launched in the fall of 2020, focuses on giving
small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries access to global
markets and thus enabling cross-border trade. The GoHelp disaster response
program provides emergency logistical assistance quickly and free of charge in
the event of a disaster. The Group also continues to expand the GoTeach
program, which improves the employability of young people living in socially
disadvantaged circumstances due to poverty, loss of loved ones or fleeing from
disaster, by preparing them with the necessary skills to successfully
transition to the world of work.

Corporate governance: Highest standards in every
corner of the world

Deutsche Post DHL Group also sets itself even stricter
rules with regard to good corporate governance. For example, the Code of
Conduct for Suppliers has been updated. The rules and standards described in it
have been aligned even more closely with sustainability criteria. In addition,
a new policy statement on human rights has been introduced.” As a market
leader, we are a role model for responsible and ethical business practices and
fair behavior. ESG is an integral part of Strategy 2025 and all relevant KPIs are
therefore being integrated into the management of the Group and its regular
reporting “, says Melanie Kreis, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Post
DHL Group.

 

In the future, the achievement of ESG targets is to be
taken into account when calculating the remuneration of the Board of Management.
This will be proposed to the Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2021.