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The integrity of your company's carbon data is entirely dependent on the quality of the systems used for tracking. Should there be inaccuracies in the underlying data collection, even a sincere commitment to sustainability may not withstand the scrutiny of an external audit. Here is a guide to organising your Scope 3 transport data before the conclusion of the next reporting period.
Pressure to provide accurate emissions data is now coming from multiple directions. Corporate buyers are increasingly scrutinising the environmental credentials of their suppliers, and regulatory bodies in Japan are shifting from voluntary targets towards mandatory disclosure.
For example, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) is introducing mandatory sustainability disclosures for large listed companies for fiscal years ending on or after March 31, 2027, as outlined in their recent regulatory updates. This creates a tangible financial and reputational exposure for dbusinesses that fail to provide accurate data.
A variance of roughly 8,000 JPY per shipment can accumulate into a substantial sum across an annual freight program. This figure does not even account for the potential business cost of losing the contract entirely due to non-compliance.
Although these two approaches may sound similar, they operate in fundamentally different ways. Confusing them could potentially undermine your company’s entire environmental strategy.
Read more: What is carbon insetting in sustainable logistics? | DHL JP
Aspect | Carbon Offsetting | Carbon Insetting |
|---|---|---|
Focus area | Funding external projects | Cutting emissions in your own value chain |
Aviation impact | No direct change to the fuel used | Replaces fossil fuel with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) |
Methodology | Compensates for emissions elsewhere | Avoids emissions at the source of transport |
Data proof | Compensating carbon credits | Verified carbon reduction certificates |
Sustainable Aviation Fuel, often referred to as SAF, is a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel. It is produced from sustainable sources such as waste oils and agricultural by-products. A key advantage is that it can be used in existing aircraft engines without any modifications, which makes it a highly practical and effective tool for carbon insetting.
According to DHL's published sustainability data, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% when compared to conventional jet fuel. This represents one of the most direct and impactful ways to reduce your transport footprint without altering your cargo's routing or transit times.
This is precisely the type of insetting that DHL Express prioritises: replacing conventional fuel with a sustainable alternative within the same network that your cargo already utilises, rather than purchasing a carbon credit from an unrelated project. The GoGreen Plus service is the mechanism by which you can book and verify these reductions for your own shipments. This can be particularly valuable for businesses shipping high volumes out of a major export hub like Narita International Airport.
Reducing transport emissions does not have to mean accepting slower delivery times or undertaking a complete overhaul of your shipping processes. It is possible to maintain your delivery speed while simultaneously shrinking your environmental footprint.
An external auditor conducts a rigorous annual check of the entire fuel blending and allocation process. This provides you with auditable proof of every carbon reduction, suitable for your corporate compliance and reporting requirements. GoGreen Plus applies specifically to your international air express shipments with DHL Express.
Adopting a systematic approach to data collection can help to prevent errors and make your annual sustainability audit a much smoother process.
Transitioning to low-carbon shipping may involve higher upfront costs, but local government initiatives can often help to offset this investment with financial assistance.
For instance, businesses in Japan can explore the various Green Transformation (GX) initiatives supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which aim to assist companies in their transition towards decarbonisation. Please be aware that we do not qualify customers for government programmes or guarantee regulatory outcomes; your company's compliance status and grant eligibility remain your own responsibility.
Successfully managing Scope 3 emissions requires a careful balance of operational speed and precise data management. DHL Express supports this balance with GoGreen Plus, enabling you to reduce real transport emissions through Sustainable Aviation Fuel while maintaining complete, audit-ready records of your progress.
Please speak to a DHL Express specialist today to review your shipping lanes and find a cleaner way to move your cargo.
For most companies, indirect emissions from transport and distribution typically represent the largest portion of their Scope 3 footprint. This means your logistics partner's fuel choices and routing decisions become a direct factor in your own reported emissions figures.
Carbon insetting achieves a direct reduction of emissions within your own supply chain, for instance by using cleaner fuels for transport. In contrast, carbon offsetting involves funding external environmental projects, such as tree planting, which do not lower the actual carbon footprint of your specific shipments.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. This is why it is a central element of how DHL Express approaches carbon insetting for our customers.
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