In short:
- This creates transparency through concrete CO2e figures, project lists, and verified insetting measures.
A label alone is not enough. Three points can be checked immediately:
- Insetting measures mentioned? Concrete information about electric vehicles, organic LNG, or HVO100 is a good sign. If it is missing, it is probably pure compensation.
- Third-party audit available? Recognized auditors in Germany are ClimatePartner, myclimate, and atmosfair. Without proof of audit, a promise remains unverified.
- CO2e figure per shipment? DHL, for example, states that around 62% of delivery areas in Germany are already delivered CO2e-free. Such concrete figures are a sign of transparency.
Table of Contents
- Avoid, insetting, or compensation: What is the difference?
- What questions you should ask brands and shipping services
- What you can do yourself to reduce shipping emissions
- Recognizing greenwashing: These formulations should make you suspicious
- Important findings
- Useful sources and certifiers in Germany
- FAQ
"Climate neutral" rarely refers to a single, physically emission-free shipment.
| Shipping stage | Typical measure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Last mile | Electric vehicles, e-bikes, e-trikes | StreetScooter, cargo bike |
| Main haul | Rail instead of truck, alternative fuels | Organic LNG, HVO100 |
| Packaging | Resource-saving materials | ECO shipping bag, linerless label |
| Returns | Return avoidance, bundled returns | Size charts, return windows |
For private customers, CO2e compensation at DHL has been automatically included since 2011. Business customers can also request CO2e reports, which enable their own sustainability reporting.
Avoid, insetting, or compensation: What is the difference?
The three approaches differ fundamentally in their effect and verifiability.
| Approach | Transparency | Certification / Auditor | CO2e per shipment | Co-benefits | Typical surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avoid / Reduce | High (vehicle data, route reports) | Internal + external audits | Directly measurable | Local, immediately effective | No surcharge |
| Insetting (e.g. GoGreen Plus) | High (Book-and-Claim, SGS audit) | SGS, annual external | Improvement of CO2e intensity per shipment | Infrastructure in the network | Low surcharge |
| Compensation / Offset | Medium (project list required) | ClimatePartner, myclimate, atmosfair | Net-zero on paper | Social/ecological projects worldwide | Often included |
GoGreen Plus reduces emissions through insetting within the DHL logistics network and is externally audited annually by SGS. Insetting invests directly where emissions are generated, for example through the use of bio-CNG, bio-LNG, HVO100, and electric trucks.
Classic compensation offsets emissions through climate protection projects. This is better than nothing, but the effect occurs elsewhere and with a time lag. Pure avoidance through rail transport or electric vehicles, on the other hand, works immediately and locally.
Pro tip: Insetting promises are credible if a named auditor (e.g. SGS) and an audit date are provided. "We invest in sustainability" without this information is not proof of insetting.
What questions you should ask brands and shipping services
A short checklist that can be applied in a few minutes:
- CO2e calculation per shipment available? Acceptable: concrete gram or kilogram figures per package. Red flag: no figure, only "we compensate".
- Project list for compensation viewable? Reputable providers state the project name, country, and standard (e.g. Gold Standard, VCS).
- Insetting measures named? Electric vehicles, alternative fuels, or rail transport should be listed concretely.
- Who audits? ClimatePartner, myclimate, atmosfair, or a named auditor such as SGS are recognized bodies. If a name is missing, the audit is missing.
- CO2e report available for business customers? This shows whether the provider delivers transparency even under pressure.
Answers are usually found on the shipping info page, the sustainability page, or in the online shop's FAQ. If all information is missing there, it is worth making a direct inquiry by email.
What you can do yourself to reduce shipping emissions
Some measures cost nothing and work immediately:
- Use delivery preferences: A drop-off location or delivery to a neighbor reduces unsuccessful delivery attempts and thus unnecessary trips.
- Choose a Packstation: Picking up at a DHL Packstation bundles delivery routes into a single route.
- Combine orders: Multiple items in one shipment instead of individual packages saves packaging and transport.
- Avoid express: Standard delivery allows for more efficient route planning than express delivery.
- Plan returns consciously: Use size charts, select products carefully. Every return generates an additional shipment.
Actively look for sustainable shipping options at checkout. Some shops offer CO2e-reduced delivery as a selectable option, sometimes with a slightly longer delivery time. This trade-off is worth it for anyone who values sustainable consumption.
Beachbodyz relies on organic cotton and recycled polyester, produced fairly in the EU. The following information should be verifiable on the brand page:
- Reference to a third-party certifier or a CO2e report
- Explanation of packaging materials and return policy
Beachbodyz also publishes content on sustainable fabrics and sustainability strategies, which serve as a sign of trust. Anyone who wants to learn more about fair labels and certificates can find an overview of fair fashion labels on the brand site.
Recognizing greenwashing: These formulations should make you suspicious
- "We compensate all emissions" without a project list or standard
- Only natural forest protection as a compensation project, without proof of location or certification
- No distinction between insetting and offsetting
- Blanket label without audit date or auditor name
- Social media photos of electric vehicles as the only proof of systemic emission reduction
A label without proof of audit is not proof. Ask for the auditor name and the audit date. Anyone who cannot or will not state this has not proven the claim. Small production series, as practiced by sustainable fashion brands, also reduce overproduction and thus the entire shipping effort.
Important findings
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Insetting vs. compensation | Insetting reduces emissions directly in the network; compensation offsets them elsewhere. |
| Check third-party audit | ClimatePartner, myclimate, atmosfair, and SGS are recognized auditors in Germany. |
| Personal behavior | Delivery preferences, Packstations, and bundled orders reduce emissions without a surcharge. |
| Greenwashing signs | Missing project list, no auditor name, and blanket formulations are red flags. |
| Beachbodyz |
Beachbodyz stands for sustainable streetwear made from organic cotton and recycled polyester, produced fairly in the EU. The willingness to make CO2e figures transparent and clearly label shipping options is part of this. Anyone who has questions about shipping can find answers in the shipping FAQ on the brand page.
Anyone who buys sustainable fashion and also takes shipping seriously will find a cohesive overall package at Beachbodyz. GOTS-certified materials and fair EU production complement each other. Choose the available delivery option at checkout, specify a delivery preference or Packstation, and the shipment will arrive with the smallest possible footprint.
The sweatpants and the Authentic Sport Jogginghose are examples of products where material choice and shipping go together. All shipping details and sustainability information are available in the shipping FAQ on beachbodyz.de.
Useful sources and certifiers in Germany
- DHL GoGreen Plus: Insetting program with annual SGS audit; information on CO2e intensity per shipment and Book-and-Claim allocation. Go to the GoGreen Plus page
- Deutsche Post GoGreen: CO2e compensation for private customers automatically included since 2011; project list available on request.
- DHL sustainability status: Live tracking information shows whether a shipment was delivered with reduced or zero CO2e emissions.
- ClimatePartner: Recognized certifier for CO2e compensation projects; verifies calculation method and project standards.
- myclimate: Swiss foundation with projects according to the Gold Standard; offers CO2e calculation tools and certification.
- atmosfair: German non-profit organization; focus on flight and transport compensation according to strict standards.
| Information in the CO2e report | Why it is relevant |
|---|---|
| CO2e per shipment (in kg) | Enables comparison between providers |
| Calculation method | Shows which emission sources are included |
| Audit date and auditor name | Proves external audit |
| Insetting vs. offset share | Distinguishes reduction from compensation |
FAQ
Remaining CO2e emissions during transport are first reduced through measures in the logistics network (insetting) and then offset through certified climate protection projects. The individual shipment is rarely physically emission-free.
What is the difference between insetting and compensation?
Insetting invests directly in reducing emissions within the own supply chain, for example through electric vehicles or alternative fuels. Compensation offsets emissions through external projects without changing the source.
Concrete CO2e figures per shipment, an accessible project list, and a named auditor such as SGS, ClimatePartner, or myclimate are reliable signs. If this information is missing, the promise is not verifiable.
Can I as a customer reduce emissions during shipping myself?
Yes. Delivery preferences, Packstation pickup, and bundled orders directly reduce delivery routes, usually without additional costs.
Details are available in the shipping FAQ on the brand page.
