Compensation of carbon emissions

Climate protection projects supported by GLS

In addition to our initiatives to progressively reduce carbon emissions, some GLS companies also support climate protection projects at national level.

We work with ClimatePartner (Munich, Germany) on various certified climate protection projects in order to provide voluntary funding for these initiatives. For further information, please refer to the section “ Support for certified climate protection projects ”.

What do we mean by carbon neutral parcel shipping*?

It means that we compensate carbon emissions according to the information found below.
* also referred to as sustainable parcel shipping.

Which carbon emissions do we offset?

In the participating EU countries operating under the GLS brand (see below), we offset carbon emissions generated by:

  • The transport of parcels and freight shipments
  • Buildings and business travel

Support for certified climate protection projects

In which countries does GLS support climate protection projects?

Since 1 April 2026, companies operating under the GLS brand in the following countries have initiatives in place to finance climate protection projects through the purchase of carbon credits.*

• Belgium (parcel shipments only; freight shipments are not included).

*The volume of carbon credits purchased is calculated by reference to the relevant company’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, determined in accordance with the GHG Protocol.

The Basis of Reporting document provides additional information on the methodology used by GLS to calculate emissions.

In addition, since 1 April 2026, companies operating under the GLS brand in the following countries offer their customers a contribution service:

  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Spain

*This contribution service is available at the customer’s request and consists of financing climate protection projects for a volume of emissions calculated on the basis of the number of the customer’s parcel and freight shipments, multiplied by the relevant country’s average CO₂ value per parcel.

How do the GLS countries finance these projects?

We work with ClimatePartner GmbH (Munich) to channel investments into climate protection projects. Please refer to the section: Which climate protection projects does GLS invest in during the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027?

How does this programme actually work?

Climate protection projects aim to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, for example by:

  • financing renewable energy projects developed by third parties;
  • protecting tropical forests from deforestation.

The projects included in this initiative are certified to international standards such as:

  • Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
  • Gold Standard (GS)

and are independently verified at regular intervals.

Further information is available in the section: “ What do the certification standards for climate protection projects mean? ”

Each year, ClimatePartner purchases the Verified Emission Reductions (VERs) generated by these projects, taking the relevant GLS emissions as a reference.

Based on these VERs, ClimatePartner issues certificates for the GLS countries mentioned above and for customers who request the contribution service, confirming that the carbon credits specified in those certificates have been retired on their behalf.

From the purchase of carbon credits to the issuance of certificates: illustrative process (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027)

The timelines shown may vary slightly.

Up to 31 March 2026

Purchase of the volume of carbon credits for the 2026/27 financial year

  • GLS B.V. enters into a contract with ClimatePartner for the purchase of carbon credits for the relevant GLS companies.

  • The volume purchased is based on forecasts prepared using data from previous financial years.

January – May 2027

Calculation of GLS’s carbon footprint for calendar year 2026

  • GLS’s Corporate Carbon Footprint represents the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted worldwide by the GLS Group as a result of its operations during a calendar year.
  • The calculation of the corporate carbon footprint is divided into two parts:
    • calculation of transport-related emissions;
    • calculation of emissions from buildings and business travel.

May – June 2027

Verification (Assurance)

  • GLS’s Corporate Carbon Footprint is prepared in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol).
  • All Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are externally verified through a limited assurance report issued by an independent auditor.

June 2027

Determination of the volume to be financed for calendar year 2026

  • On the basis of GLS’s Corporate Carbon Footprint, the volume of carbon credits corresponding to each country or customer* is calculated for calendar year 2026.
*For customers who request the contribution service, the volume is calculated on the basis of the number of the customer’s parcel and freight shipments multiplied by the country-specific average CO₂ value per parcel.

Therefore, the carbon credits retired for that customer and the certificate issued by ClimatePartner do not correspond to the emissions attributable to the customer’s individual shipments.

*The volume of carbon credits corresponding to the period from 1 January to 31 March 2027 will be calculated in 2028 on the basis of GLS’s 2027 Carbon Footprint.

June – July 2027

Reconciliation of emissions for calendar year 2026

  • Once the volume of carbon credits has been calculated, the determined volume is compared with the volume purchased at the beginning of 2026.
  • If there is a shortfall, GLS B.V. will purchase additional carbon credits from ClimatePartner to cover the correct volume.

From July 2027 onwards

Issuance of certificates

  • GLS B.V. provides ClimatePartner with information on the CO₂ emissions associated with customers* or countries.
  • ClimatePartner issues certificates for customers* or GLS countries, confirming that the carbon credits specified in those certificates have been retired.

*For customers who request the contribution service, the volume is calculated on the basis of the number of the customer’s parcel and freight shipments multiplied by the country-specific average CO₂ value per parcel.

Therefore, the carbon credits retired for the customer and the certificate issued by ClimatePartner do not represent the emissions associated with individual shipments.

Which climate protection projects does GLS invest in during the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027?

We invest in projects developed by third parties outside our value chain. Please also refer to the section: “ What is the difference between avoidance and removal carbon credits? ”

Project Region and CountryProject typeCertification Standard
Guttigoli, India Solar energyGold Standard VER (GS VER)
Gadhsisa, India Wind energyGold Standard VER (GS VER)
Gia Lai, Vietnam Wind energyGold Standard VER (GS VER)
Gyapa, Ghana Cook stoveGold Standard VER (GS VER)

Solar energy in Guttigoli (India)

This project, located in Guttigoli, India, generates clean and affordable energy through a 100 MW solar power plant connected to India’s national electricity grid. In doing so, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels and avoids the greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be produced by conventional thermal power plants.

In addition to supplying renewable electricity, the project contributes to the sustainable development of local communities through:

  • the donation of books and school furniture;
  • improvements to educational infrastructure;
  • the organisation of music and talent-development activities for schoolchildren.

Wind energy in Gadhsisa (India)

This project generates energy through 143 wind turbines, with a total installed capacity of 300 MW.

It contributes to climate protection by replacing electricity generation that would otherwise come from fossil-fuel power plants.

It also promotes the sustainable development of the region through:

  • job creation;
  • training programmes;
  • support for education by facilitating students’ access to local schools.

The project is certified under the Gold Standard VER (GS VER).

Gyapa efficient cookstoves (Ghana)

In Ghana, many families traditionally cook using firewood or charcoal on inefficient stoves (“Coal Pots”).

High fuel consumption is one of the main causes of deforestation. In addition, charcoal is produced using highly emissions-intensive processes.

The Gyapa Improved Cookstove project replaces these traditional stoves with high-efficiency Gyapa cookstoves featuring a ceramic liner that retains heat more effectively.

As a result:

  • fuel consumption is reduced by between 50% and 60%;
  • the time required for cooking is reduced.

The project also improves indoor air quality, particularly benefiting women and children, while supporting local manufacturing.

According to the project developer, more than 835.000 cookstoves have already been sold, improving the quality of life of more than 4 million people in Ghana.

Wind energy in Gia Lai (Vietnam)

With more than 3.260 kilometres of coastline, Vietnam has enormous potential to generate renewable energy by harnessing wind power.

The Nhon Hoa 2 Wind Power Project, located in Gia Lai, harnesses this potential to produce renewable electricity from wind energy.

The facility has a total capacity of 50 MW, comprising:

  • ten 4,2 MW wind turbines;
  • two 4 MW wind turbines.

All the energy generated is fed into the national electricity grid.

This project partially replaces electricity generated by thermal power plants, contributing to the region’s sustainable development from the following perspectives:

  • social.
  • environmental.
  • economic.

What do the certification standards for climate protection projects mean?

The supported projects comply with one of the following international standards:

  • Gold Standard (GS)
  • Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)

In some cases, the VCS is combined with the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS).

The Gold Standard, developed by WWF and other environmental organisations, and the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), developed by the international organisation Verra, are standards used in the voluntary carbon markets.

Climate protection projects may be verified and certified under these standards provided that they meet their respective requirements, including the additionality criterion.

Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)

The Verified Carbon Standard is one of the most widely recognised international standards for certifying greenhouse gas emission reduction and removal projects.

It provides a framework that ensures:

  • accuracy
  • transparency
  • credibility

for climate protection projects that generate carbon credits or Verified Emission Reductions (VERs).

The VCS may be combined with the CCBS, which adds requirements relating to social and environmental impacts.

Gold Standard (GS)

The Gold Standard is another widely recognised international standard for certifying climate protection projects.

Its main distinguishing feature is that, in addition to emission reductions, it places particular emphasis on:

  • sustainability
  • social benefits
  • environmental benefits

Projects certified under the Gold Standard must meet rigorous criteria, including:

  • additionality;
  • independent verification.

In this way, they contribute both to sustainable development and to environmental protection.

What is the difference between avoidance and removal carbon credits?

Avoidance carbon credits

Avoidance carbon credits come from climate protection projects designed to prevent future carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.

One example is renewable energy projects that replace fossil-fuel-based electricity generation, thereby avoiding future emissions.

Removal carbon credits

Removal carbon credits come from projects that remove previously emitted carbon from the atmosphere and store it for a long period of time.

One example is reforestation, which reduces atmospheric carbon by absorbing CO₂ during photosynthesis and storing it in trees.