DHL Express and CIMB join forces to cut CO2e with sustainable aviation fuel

DHL Express has signed an agreement with CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (CIMB) to welcome the banking group onboard its GoGreen Plus programme.

The partnership enables CIMB to leverage the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to mitigate the CO2e emissions associated with its international shipments. Through the partnership, CIMB will deploy the programme across Malaysia and Singapore.

CIMB recognises the importance of aligning business interests with climate practice. In September 2022, the group announced a net-zero by 2050 goal for Scope 3 emissions, emphasising the indirect greenhouse gases generated through transportation and distribution activities. DHL’s GoGreen Plus service helps to facilitate a pathway towards cleaner operations and contributes to scaling the wider SAF ecosystem.

SAF is considered the aviation industry’s most promising means of decarbonisation. Made from alternative raw materials such as used cooking oil, waste, and hydrogen, SAF cuts approximately 80% of carbon emissions for air transport shipments over its lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel. In collaboration with DHL Express, CIMB expects to lower the carbon emissions of its time-definite international air shipments from Malaysia and Singapore by 20% via DHL. An independent auditor, Société Générale de Surveillance, verifies the greenhouse gas emission reductions to be counted against CIMB’s Scope 3 carbon emission footprint.

Ken Lee, CEO DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: “Many of our customers look at sustainability as a business imperative today. In Asia Pacific alone, more than 12,000 customers have signed up for our GoGreen Plus service and this number continues to grow consistently.”

He added: “As a leading express logistics company, we always connect people and businesses across borders. GoGreen Plus serves as a vital avenue for businesses to cut carbon emissions, and we are convinced more will come on board."

Julian Neo, managing director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei said: “SAF is widely acknowledged as a truly viable route to decarbonising the aviation sector. There is still significant progress to be made, as SAF makes up only 0.1% of aviation fuel consumed today. We are impressed with the leadership CIMB has demonstrated in the sustainability space and we are delighted to have CIMB partner us for this important initiative. This motivates us to accelerate efforts to promote SAF availability, accessibility, and affordability so that our customers realise their environmental ambitions.”

Gurdip Singh Sidhu, CEO of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad, said: “Sustainability is a key focus at CIMB and central to that are our 2050 net-zero commitments. In our roadmap to achieve these targets, we have long advocated the need to strategically partner and drive innovative solutions. CIMB is pleased to be partnering with DHL in their sustainable fuel proposition that will help us mitigate our Scope 3 carbon emissions and in that regard, help us get closer to our 2050 net-zero commitments. DHL’s innovative solution in bringing such an option to its key clients is commendable and will accelerate the commercialisation of such technology.”

Launched in February 2023, GoGreen Plus is among the DHL Group’s initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, which is made possible by three of the most significant SAF agreements with bp, Neste, and World Energy. The air freight network accounts for around 70% of the company's carbon footprint, so sustainable air transportation solutions are crucial for greener logistics.

Re-disseminated by  Wealth and Society