Reduction

Carbon emissions reduction is obviously essential to meeting emission targets, but according to Feilder the strategy goes beyond simply addressing emissions. "This is about more efficiently using current assets," he says.

A series of efficiency measures — including lagging the roof space of warehouse buildings, measuring power more accurately, installing more accurate fuel gauges, hedge-buying fuel when prices are low, sharing warehouses with other logistics firms and energy housekeeping — have all been introduced in an attempt to cut costs and emissions.

The firm will also launch a pilot program next month looking at how it can share trucking facilities with different retailers to decrease distribution distances.

Replacement

Ultimately, a 30 percent cut in emissions can only be achieved by embracing new, more efficient technologies and DHL is planning to replace a number of its older technologies with newer, more efficient versions.

For example, the company has embraced electric vehicles and is keen to expand its fleet.

"When the oil price is at $125 (£72.40) a barrel or higher, it's cheaper for us to use our electric trucks," says Feilder. "We need 5,000 [new electric trucks] next year, 5,000 the year after that, and 5,000 the year after that," says Feilder.

The problem is no one is making them fast enough.

DHL can't find suppliers to deliver the 15,000 vehicles it wants, despite three manufacturers being located in the UK.