For logistics, this could mean switching to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), using electric vehicles, or improving warehouse energy efficiency. Insetting doesn’t just lower your carbon numbers; it strengthens local supply chains, creates jobs, and positions your business for long-term resilience. It’s not only about carbon either—it’s about future-proofing your business and supporting local communities.
Offsetting vs. Insetting: Which Works for You?
Offsetting is like balancing the books from afar: you ship goods, emissions go up, and you invest in a project somewhere else to cancel them out. Examples? Funding clean cookstove projects in rural Africa, reforestation, or solar farms. Each project is audited, and you get carbon credits—one credit per tonne of CO₂.
Insetting, on the other hand, is hands-on. You cut emissions within your own operations. DHL customers can opt for SAF, upgrade to electric delivery vehicles, or help suppliers adopt greener practices. Insetting turns climate action into a local advantage, building credibility and supporting South African jobs.
Why South African Businesses Are Making the Shift
New Rules, New Risks: South Africa is committed to net-zero by 2050, and carbon taxes are rising. Managing emissions is no longer a tick-box exercise—it’s essential.
Demand From All Sides: Eighty-five percent of global consumers now prefer sustainable brands (Edie, 2023). If you export, green credentials open doors in Europe and North America.
Energy Challenges: Load-shedding is a reality. Insetting—like solar-powered warehouses—helps cut emissions and keeps operations running when the grid goes down.
DHL’s GoGreen Solutions: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Whether you’re a startup or a supply chain giant, DHL has a solution for you.
Offsetting: Perfect if you want quick, cost-effective results. DHL calculates your shipment emissions and invests in verified projects on your behalf. Usually, it only adds 1–3% to your shipping costs. Just make sure those projects are the real deal—DHL only works with certified partners, so your offsets count.
Insetting with GoGreen Plus: Best for businesses ready to tackle emissions head-on. For many South African sectors—mining, agriculture, retail, manufacturing—transport is a major emissions culprit. GoGreen Plus lets you cut these emissions directly, without needing to source and track sustainable fuels yourself.
How GoGreen Plus Delivers for South African Businesses
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Marine Biofuels: SAF, made from waste oils or agricultural residues, slashes emissions by up to 80% compared to regular jet fuel. DHL’s “Book and Claim” system means you buy a share of biofuel, and your reductions are verified—even if your cargo isn’t on the same vessel.
Transparent Verification: DHL tracks every litre of sustainable fuel and issues third-party certificates so you can report your emissions savings with confidence—key for voluntary reporting (like CDP submissions) and communicating your impact to customers and partners.
Local, Scalable, Accessible: Since 2020, DHL has offered sustainable marine fuel at no extra cost for less-than-container-load ocean shipments—and now for full-container loads too. South African DHL Express customers can opt for GoGreen Plus for air and sea freight, making it easy to start reducing emissions immediately.