The reforestation activity under Global Volunteer Day is part of DPDHL's commitment to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming, and promotes the spirit of volunteering among DHL employees to make positive contributions to society. Since the start of this program, the Group has planted over five million trees globally by the end of 2021.
Thailand ranks as one of the 10 countries most at risk of flooding. This is expected to affect more than two million Thai people by 2035-2044.[1] Meanwhile, forested areas in Thailand have declined continuously since 2016.[2] Accelerating reforestation is, therefore one of the country's key strategies to help tackle flooding.
In Thailand, over 13,880 trees have been planted so far by DHL Thailand employees - equal to the reduction of 167 tons of carbon emissions per year - reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability.
Herbert Vongpusanachai, Managing Director of DHL Express Thailand and Head of Indochina Region, said, "We are committed to running the business through our sustainable and green initiatives. We are aware that the environment may also negatively affect the global economy. In Thailand, a 3.2?C increase could reduce the value of the Thai economy by nearly 44 percent in 2050.[3] DHL is working towards building a sustainable business and taking responsibility for the community in which we live. Global Volunteer Day reflects our employees' strong volunteerism and responsibility for their communities. This is the heart of our business, and it is in line with our purpose of 'Connecting People, Improving Lives'."
DHL Express aims to become a green logistics service provider, attaining net-zero emissions logistics by 2050 - in line with Deutsche Post DHL Group's sustainability roadmap.[4] The company has announced various measures to reduce its carbon footprint through using electric vehicles and electric planes for express delivery, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce fossil fuel consumption, and building a culture that promotes nature conservation among DHL employees.
DHL's Global Volunteer Day was initiated in the Asia-Pacific region in 2008 and soon expanded to the United States, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The program has become a success story in which more and more employees are directly involved. Since 2013, it has been a global, Group-wide initiative. In 2021, approximately 148,000 employees worldwide contributed 274,000 hours of their time on core capabilities to GoGreen, GoTeach and GoHelp initiatives.
In Thailand, DHL plant growing kits will be given away to customers at DHL Express Service Points nationwide in September 2022. DHL plant growing kit includes the seeds of golden shower tree, sunflower, bok choy, peat moss pellet and coco-coir pots under the theme "Start planting today, boost up green area with yellow trees."
[1] Climate Risk Country Profile (Thailand) by World Bank, 2021
[2] Data.World Bank
[3] TRDI - Green Growth is the way forward for Thailand, 14 Dec 2021
[4] On A New Level - 2021 DHL Annul Report, page 51
Source: พีซี แอนด์ แอสโซซิเอทส์ คอนซัลติ้ง จำกัด
