GLS is investing several million euros in measures to compensate, reduce and avoid CO2 emissions in Germany, including around €2 million in photovoltaic systems and charging stations, as part of its year-old “KlimaProtect” programme.
GLS KlimaProtect is based on a two-pillar model: offsetting and reducing as well as avoiding emissions. On the one hand, all direct and indirect emissions are offset, and on the other hand, investments are made to actively avoid and reduce emissions through an electric delivery fleet and sustainably generated electricity.
“Sustainability is one of the most important foundations of GLS. Above all, sustainability also includes climate protection,” Dr. Karl Pfaff, CEO of GLS Germany, said. "We are very proud of what we have achieved so far and will continue to intensify our efforts."
As part of the KlimaProtect programme, GLS invests in a series of different measures and projects. These include the use of 100% sustainable electricity at all German locations. The company is also increasingly using electric vehicles, with over 100 e-vehicles, e-bikes and e-trucks currently being deployed. To drive forward emission-free delivery in city centres, GLS is deploying e-vehicles in over 20 German cities.
The parcels company is also expanding its charging infrastructure. So far, around 60 charging points have been installed at different GLS locations.
In addition, GLS is setting up micro depots close to cities where vehicles can be loaded with new parcels during delivery in order to compensate for the lower loading volume of the e-vehicles.
Finally, the company is investing in photovoltaic systems and is already producing electricity and using it for operations at its new European hub in Essen (western Germany) as well as the locations in Erding (Upper Bavaria) and Vaihingen (Baden-Württemberg).
GLS explained that it offsets the emissions generated through parcel transportation and its business activities through a certified reforestation and forest protection project by the non-profit association PRIMAKLIMA. In the first year, over 200,000 tons of CO2 were offset.
The non-profit association protects existing forests and plants new trees around the world for climate protection. Currently, GLS is also supporting a project in Indonesia for the protection of peat bog forests.
