DHL Group’s Sustainability Milestones in Asia Pacific

Large global logistics providers rarely make announcements that matter only to themselves. When a company of DHL Group’s size alters how it fuels aircraft, powers vehicles, or designs warehouses, the effects run through supply chains well beyond its own operations. That is why recent sustainability milestones announced by DHL Group in the Asia Pacific region are worth attention from UK businesses.

The developments focus on aviation fuel, road transport, hydrogen trials, and the energy performance of logistics facilities. Taken together, they show how a major operator is trying to cut emissions while still expanding capacity in some of the fastest growing trade lanes in the world. For UK importers, exporters, and manufacturers with exposure to Asia Pacific, these changes have direct implications for freight costs, reporting, and customer expectations.

At a time when many SMEs are under pressure to evidence progress on climate targets without losing competitiveness, DHL’s actions provide a practical view of what decarbonisation looks like on the ground, and where the constraints still sit.

How DHL’s Asia Pacific strategy fits within its global climate commitments

DHL Group has set a long term target of reaching net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This sits alongside its Strategy 2030, which includes interim goals across aviation, road transport, and buildings. In logistics terms, these are the areas that drive most operational emissions.

The company’s GoGreen programme brings these strands together. Globally, DHL is aiming for sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, to make up more than 30 percent of its aviation fuel use by 2030. SAF is a lower carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel, produced from waste or renewable feedstocks, and is currently the most realistic way to reduce emissions from air freight at scale.

On the road, DHL has committed to electrifying around two thirds of its last mile delivery fleet by 2030. In buildings, all new sites are expected to be designed to operate without fossil fuels wherever possible. Asia Pacific has become a testing ground for many of these commitments due to rapid growth in e‑commerce, manufacturing, and urban logistics.

Within the region, DHL already operates more than 1,800 electric vehicles. It has also invested in electric vehicle centres of excellence in markets such as Shanghai, Singapore, and Indonesia. These hubs support complex supply chains linked to batteries, vehicle components, and finished electric vehicles moving across more than ten countries.

Recent developments across fuel, vehicles, and logistics sites

During 2025, DHL highlighted a series of initiatives across Asia Pacific that show how its strategy is being put into practice. These span aviation and maritime fuel agreements, changes to vehicle fleets, trials of hydrogen technology, and the construction of low‑energy logistics facilities.

One of the most material announcements relates to sustainable fuels. DHL reinforced its commitment to SAF and also partnered with shipping company CMA CGM to use 8,800 metric tonnes of used cooking oil methyl ester biofuel. This fuel is intended for maritime operations and is reported to reduce emissions by around 25,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent on a well‑to‑tank basis. Well‑to‑tank refers to emissions associated with producing and supplying the fuel, rather than emissions at the point of use.

On the road, DHL Supply Chain has expanded the use of electric and hydrogen powered vehicles. In Japan, hydrogen trucks have been deployed on long haul routes. In Thailand, DHL supports a major retail client with a fully electric fleet serving more than 250 stores. In the Philippines, DHL Summit Solutions introduced 23 electric vehicles and 22 electric prime movers as part of a joint venture arrangement.

DHL Express has added over 100 electric vehicles across the Philippines, Korea, and China, while DHL eCommerce launched electric trucks in Thailand. These deployments focus primarily on urban and regional delivery, where electric vehicles are most mature in terms of range and charging.

Beyond conventional electric vehicles, DHL Supply Chain introduced an autonomous electric vehicle for in‑plant logistics at its Asia Pacific Advanced Regional Centre in Singapore. The vehicle operates within a controlled warehouse environment and is reported to cut emissions by more than 80 percent compared with a diesel equivalent.

Facilities have also been a focus. In Thailand, DHL Supply Chain opened what it describes as its first fully renewable energy powered warehouse globally. The site uses a 4.2 megawatt peak on‑site solar installation combined with battery storage. This allows the warehouse to generate all of its energy on site and operate without drawing fossil fuel based electricity from the grid. New DHL Express service centres in Thailand and the Philippines have also been designed to reduce overall energy demand.

The company has framed these steps as part of steady progress towards its 2050 net‑zero target, rather than as isolated pilot projects.

What this means for companies shipping to and from Asia Pacific

For UK SMEs using international logistics services, these developments are not abstract. They affect pricing structures, contractual discussions, and the quality of emissions data available for reporting.

Sustainable aviation fuel and biofuels currently come at a higher cost than conventional fuels. As large logistics providers increase their use, those costs are often shared across customer contracts, either explicitly through fuel surcharges or implicitly through rates. Businesses importing time sensitive goods by air from Asia Pacific may see SAF referenced more frequently in quotations and tender documents.

At the same time, the availability of SAF can improve the quality of Scope 3 emissions data. Scope 3 covers indirect emissions from a company’s value chain, including transport provided by third parties. When a carrier uses lower carbon fuels and can evidence this, it allows customers to report lower emissions without changing suppliers or transport modes.

On the road transport side, the expansion of electric fleets in Asia Pacific helps logistics providers meet local air quality regulations and access low emission zones. For customers, this can reduce the risk of disruption in urban deliveries and support claims around lower carbon distribution in key markets.

The move towards renewable powered warehouses also matters for storage and fulfilment contracts. Facilities that operate on onsite solar or other renewable sources typically have more predictable energy costs over time. This can feed through into more stable pricing, particularly in regions where grid electricity prices are volatile.

Hydrogen trucks and autonomous vehicles are earlier stage technologies. For now, their impact on UK SMEs is indirect. They indicate where logistics providers are testing options for routes and environments where battery electric vehicles are less practical. Over time, lessons from these pilots may shape service offerings and infrastructure investment.

There is also a signalling effect. As major providers demonstrate progress in Asia Pacific, expectations rise elsewhere. UK firms competing for international contracts may find that customers ask more detailed questions about freight emissions, fuel choices, and warehouse energy sources, even when goods never leave the UK.

Key facts from DHL’s Asia Pacific announcements

• DHL reaffirmed its target for sustainable aviation fuel to exceed 30 percent of aviation fuel use globally by 2030.
• A maritime biofuel agreement with CMA CGM covers 8,800 metric tonnes of used cooking oil methyl ester.
• More than 1,800 electric vehicles are now operating across DHL’s Asia Pacific businesses.
• Hydrogen trucks are in use on long haul routes in Japan as part of regional trials.
• A logistics warehouse in Thailand is operating on 100 percent onsite renewable energy from solar and battery storage.

How we interpret these moves when advising UK SMEs

From our work with small and medium sized businesses, the most important point is that large logistics providers are shifting incrementally rather than waiting for perfect solutions. DHL’s actions in Asia Pacific show a mix of mature options, such as electric vans and solar powered warehouses, alongside emerging technologies like hydrogen trucks.

For SMEs, this reinforces the value of understanding what your logistics partners are doing, rather than assuming transport emissions are fixed. When carriers can offer lower carbon options, even at a premium, there is a commercial decision to be made about when and where to use them. This is particularly relevant for customers supplying public sector bodies or larger corporates with climate commitments embedded in tenders.

It also highlights the need for good quality data. Many of the benefits of SAF or electric transport only show up in your own reporting if the information is passed through clearly. Asking questions about fuel mix, vehicle type, and facility energy sources is becoming part of normal supplier management.

Finally, there is a reminder that global supply chains are moving at different speeds. Progress in Asia Pacific may be faster in some areas than in Europe, driven by urban air quality rules or manufacturing growth. UK businesses with international operations should be ready for uneven requirements and evolving expectations across regions.

We see this as a practical example of how net‑zero commitments translate into day to day logistics decisions, with cost, reliability, and compliance all in play. More detail on how transport and logistics fit into SME climate planning is available in our guides on Scope 3 emissions reporting, supply chain sustainability, and building a net zero strategy.

Further Reading

DHL publishes regular updates on its sustainability work, including detailed regional reporting, which can be found on its global sustainability pages. Information on sustainable aviation fuel and its role in aviation decarbonisation is also covered by the International Air Transport Association.

For wider coverage, reputable media such as Reuters’ sustainable business section track developments in low carbon fuels and logistics across Asia Pacific. Shipping related fuel initiatives are also monitored by the International Chamber of Shipping, which provides context on maritime decarbonisation efforts.

These sources offer additional detail for businesses that want to follow how major logistics providers are adapting, and what that may mean for international trade over the coming decade.