DSV Panalpina plans go-green initiatives for 2020

Nov 15, 2019: DSV Panalpina is setting science-based environmental performance targets from 2020, offering its support to minimize the effects of climate change. The specific targets will be in line with what climate science says is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.

“As a global transport and logistics company, we have a global impact. With that comes great responsibility”, says CEO Jens Bjørn Andersen and adds, “By committing to Science Based Targets, DSV Panalpina will have an ambitious and clear direction for the management of emissions. It’s a statement to say that we intend to lead the way in our industry. Failure is not an option.”

The Science Based Targets will specify how much and how quickly DSV Panalpina needs to reduce emissions. The targets will serve as a baseline for the Group’s future efforts within sustainability, both for the company’s direct emissions, scope 1 and 2, and for its indirect scope 3 emissions, which include subcontracted transports.

“Setting science-based targets adds real meaning to reducing emissions and goes beyond good intentions”, says Jesper Petersen, Senior Director, Group CSR and explains:

“This commitment establishes something scientific to measure our progress against. Once our targets are set and approved, every company and employee of the Group will have to contribute to achieving them. We will have to start working in new ways and think innovatively in our collaboration with our business partners.”

With innovative solutions and a target for reduction of scope 3 emissions, DSV Panalpina will also be able to support our customers to drive down their CO2 emissions, making it a win-win for both parties.

And the targets are good for the bottom-line as well: “We can drive cost effectiveness by reducing energy cost”, says Lindsay Zingg, Director, Sustainability, Group CSR.

DSV Panalpina is continuing Panalpina’s commitment from 2015. Panalpina was among the first companies in the transport and logistics industry to have approved targets in place, acting as industry leaders.

Now that DSV and Panalpina have joined forces, the combined company is re-committing to the initiative and will be setting new targets that reflect the size of the new organisation.

To achieve the targets and DSV Panalpina’s ambitious agenda for the area, a stronger sustainability team with eight dedicated resources has seen the light of day – bringing together staff from both Panalpina and DSV.

Lindsay Zingg says, “We are really combining the best of both worlds with our new sustainability organisation. We are continuing initiatives from both companies, and we have a very good team in place to facilitate all the initiatives that will be part of DSV Panalpina reaching the targets. It’s a very good foundation for driving the company forward.”