Decarbonisation through insetting

Accelerating the transition towards net zero operations within our own network.

E-truck, etruck, transporting goods, road

Why we choose insetting over offsetting

Freight transportation is a significant contributor to global emissions. At DFDS, we are committed to respond to the climate emergency and contribute to the decarbonisation of supply chains.

On that basis we invest heavily in achieving actual emissions reductions by making direct interventions – called insetting - within our own transport network. Offsetting drives funding for climate mitigation projects outside the logistics industry, for example, tree planting, and does not reduce emissions from our sector.

Conversely, insetting funds decarbonisation projects within the sector where the emissions originate, creating measurable reductions to existing emissions, and supporting the transition to a net zero logistics industry.

By switching from fossil fuel-powered transport to electric trucks and biofuel on vessels, we create a means for you to reduce your Scope 3 emissions.

Our Decarbonised Solutions are an important step in our ongoing transition roadmap. We will continue our investments in new fuels and technologies to support your climate goals and help the entire logistics sector minimise its CO2e footprint.

Insetting and offsetting infographic

We offer two insetting solutions

Direct reductions on your routes and lanes

With our direct solution, the emissions reductions are made directly within your own transportation flow, through the use of biofuel on vessels and electricity on trucks. Your goods will be located on the specific route or lane where the reduction is made.

  • You can choose direct reductions on a select number of transport routes and lanes in the DFDS network in Europe.

  • If the savings must be made within your own transportation flow, the direct reduction meets your requirements.

  • Our reduction process is reviewed by our external auditor. The savings are issued via annual certificates specifying the amount of tonnes of CO2e reduced.

Direct reduction illustration

Indirect reductions within our network

Indirect emissions reductions are made within the DFDS network, but not necessarily in your own specific transportation flow. This means that the savings are made through assets fuelled by electricity on road and biofuel on our ferry routes. The savings are stored in our CO2e reduction bank and issued as unique certificates.

  • You can choose indirect reductions, regardless of which route or lane in our network your goods are transported on.

  • Our process is reviewed by an external auditor and reductions can be reported to your Scope 3 emissions.

  • The savings are issued via annual certificates specifying the amount of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced.

Indirect reductions illustration

How can we help you?

Today, we offer direct reductions in our European network.

Please contact your account manager to determine if we are currently able to provide direct reductions in your transportation flows. If we do not have a low or zero-emission transport solution operating on your lanes today, we can work together to introduce one.

Yes, both direct and indirect reductions can be reflected in your Scope 3 emissions. When reductions are made, they are stored in our CO2e reduction bank and issued to the purchaser as a unique certificate. The certificate is retired once issued to prevent double-counting.

When you buy a reduction certificate, it can be reported as savings to your Scope 3, category 4 emissions – 3.4 Upstream transportation and distribution, as per the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Yes, insetting is the basic principle for all our decarbonised solutions, and it is defined as making a direct intervention within the value chain. For both direct and indirect products the emission reductions are made on trucks or vessels within our transportation network.

They differ only in that direct savings are made in your specific transportation flow and indirect reductions are made on any route within our transportation network. It is not possible however, to make a reduction on road, and report it against emissions from sea transport, or vice versa.

Learn more about our insetting process, which applies a mass balance approach to our indirect products.