At the moment, it may seem as though sustainable business practices are no longer receiving the same level of attention they did two or three years ago. The EU is scaling back previously adopted sustainability regulations as part of the so-called Omnibus, geopolitical developments are pushing the topic out of the spotlight, and recent surveys suggest that companies are currently more concerned with other challenges than environmental protection, climate change, fair working conditions, or social responsibility. However, appearances can be misleading. Sustainability has become an integral part of doing business. As the German business magazine brand eins aptly puts it: “Sustainability is the new normal.” (German only)

In fact, many companies remain firmly committed to their sustainability ambitions. According to EY’s Decarbonization Barometer 2024/2025, 41% of companies consider decarbonization to be one of their most important strategic priorities. Likewise, PwC’s Second Annual State of Decarbonization Report points to growing corporate efforts to address climate change. 
And they are doing so for more than just the good of the planet. There is a compelling business case for sustainable business practices: they make companies more resilient in a variety of ways.

• Companies that generate energy from their own renewable sources, such as photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, or solar thermal installations, become less dependent on fluctuating market prices.

• Companies that operate in an energy-efficient manner and use resources sparingly reduce costs.
• Companies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions save money, for example through lower carbon taxes, and can demonstrate a stronger environmental footprint.

A strong environmental footprint supported by valid, data-based sustainability metrics is a clear competitive advantage. This becomes particularly important when competing in public tenders, negotiating more favorable lending conditions, or convincing potential investors. Conversely, this means that companies that cannot provide measurable information about their sustainability efforts put their business at risk.

Consumers are another important driver of sustainable business practices. For them, too, sustainability has often become the “new normal” and a key purchasing criterion. While the majority of Germans are not willing to pay more for sustainable products, they nevertheless want a more environmentally sustainable economy, as highlighted, among others, by McKinsey’s study Grün um jeden Preis (German only). Companies that fail to meet consumer expectations regarding sustainability can quickly face consequences. According to Capgemini , 6 out of 10 German consumers would be willing to switch providers if they perceived a lack of sustainability.

Sustainability is not a nice-to-have; it is a necessity. That is why we at Deutsche Post and DHL no longer have a separate sustainability strategy. Sustainability is our strategy. On the one hand, because we must protect the climate and future-proof our own business. On the other hand, because we believe that companies together have a tremendous lever to help limit global warming.

Our ambition is to reduce emissions from the transport and delivery of our customers’ letters and parcels as much as possible. To achieve this, we examine every link in our supply chain and work on concrete measures.

Solutions such as GoGreenPlus* contribute directly to the environmental footprint of our business customers. Using tools such as our CO₂e-Report, they can view the CO₂e footprint of all shipments in detail and integrate the data directly into their sustainability reporting.

Through the nationwide transformation of our entire logistics network, we are making sustainability tangible for everyone. Electric delivery vehicles, CO₂-free operated buildings, and electric and biogas-powered trucks are in use throughout Germany. We reduce CO₂e emissions directly where we all live and work.