Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: In 2022-24, DHL Group (formerly Deutsche Post DHL Group) has positive and negative global engagement on climate policy. DHL has stated support for the Paris Agreement and supported clean energy tax credits in the US Inflation Reduction Act while opposing mandatory EU-wide zero-emission vehicle fleet targets in Europe.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: DHL Group has positive top-line messaging on climate change. In a January 2024 blog post, DHL stated support for a 1.5°C global warming target and an October 2024 joint letter, signed by DHL Group’s CEO, supported both the Paris Agreement and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from governments before COP29.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: DHL Group has mostly positive engagement with climate regulations. A joint letter signed by DHL Group in October 2023 supported a full phase-out of unabated fossil fuels and to halve global emissions this decade, alongside targets to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency deployment by 2030. In a March 2023 joint letter, DHL Group urged EU policymakers to adopt the EU Delegated Act on the additionality of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and recycled carbon fuels. In another joint letter from October 2023, DHL Group also appeared to generally support renewable energy legislation and targets.
An Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders joint letter from October 2024, signed by DHL Group’s CEO, also supported a package of policies to promote energy efficiency globally, including intensity targets and tax incentives for efficiency investments.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2022-24, DHL Group has both positive and negative engagement on policies related to the energy transition. In the US, a Ceres May 2023 press release reported DHL Group jointly met US legislators to support policies promoting low-emissions technologies, including renewables-related permitting reform. DHL Group also signed a July 2023 letter to congressional leaders urging them to support US permitting reform without taking a clear position on which energy types to prioritize. A separate joint letter from October 2023, also signed by DHL Group’s CEO, further appeared to support climate investments in the US Inflation Reduction Act. In December 2024, a Ceres press release reported that DHL Group, alongside numerous other companies, met with US legislators to support US federal clean energy tax credits and other incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. At a state-level DHL Group was part of an August 2023 New Mexico regulatory comment from the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance supporting the adoption of Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks rules in the state.
In the EU, in a July 2024 consultation response on the Greening Corporate Fleets initiative, accessed via a freedom of information request, DHL Group opposed mandatory EU-wide zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets for fleets, emphasizing concerns with charging infrastructure availability and costs, while supporting incentives for ZEVs.
An October 2024 joint letter, signed by DHL Group’s CEO, also appeared broadly supportive of both policies to decarbonize industry, and policies to promote a renewables-based energy system and the increased electrification of heat, transport and industry. The same joint letter also advocated for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies globally.
Regarding transport, an October 2024 blog post also appeared supportive of numerous policies to electrify road transportation globally, including EV purchase incentives in Singapore and ICE-phase out policies in the EU. While supporting the electrification of heavy-duty transport in a September 2024 trends report, DHL Group also supported using biofuels in a transitional pathway to heavy-duty decarbonization in a May 2024 blog post, and the use of green hydrogen to decarbonize heavy-duty transport in a February 2024 press release. A September 2024 Trends report from DHL Group appeared to support the short-term use of bio-based SAF for aviation and shipping, while supporting a longer-term switch to e-fuels and zero-emission technologies. In a CNBC interview in October 2023, DHL Group’s CEO, Tobias Meyer, also appeared supportive of the expanded use of green ammonia to decarbonize shipping.
A May 2024 DHL Group report recognized the sustainability risks and trade-offs with first generation biofuel, suggesting support for best practice on sustainability criteria. A June 2023 blog post from DHL also suggested support for incorporating sustainability criteria in biofuels policy to protect and enhance carbon sinks, and to ensure sustainable land management.
Industry Association Governance: DHL Group has publicly disclosed its membership of some trade associations on its website, without providing further details on the company’s role within each association or its influence over their climate positions. It has not published a review of its alignment with its industry associations. DHL Air, a subsidiary of DHL Group, is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which has negative climate policy engagement with global regulations for aviation. Additionally, a Senior Executive at DHL Group is the Chairman of a Working Group at the Federation of German Industries (BDI) which is negatively engaged with EU climate policy.