DHL Express Sri Lanka supports global ‘Pole 2 Pole challenge’ for climate protection

Supporting the global ‘Pole 2 Pole challenge’, DHL Express Sri Lanka has recently organized various activities to create awareness for a cleaner, greener and healthier planet. These include beach cleanup, marathon, ‘Cycling to Office Day’ and tree planting.

The first initiative was to clean up the Wellawatte beach. Over 65 employees participated and helped remove plastic waste. Employees collected over 100kg of waste which were segregated into glass, plastic and recyclables.

Promoting fitness and well-being, more than 100 employees joined a 4km run and walk, which began at the landmark Independence Square and ended at the DHL office. All participants were awarded a medal as a token of appreciation. Similarly, over 12 DHL employees embarked on a ‘Cycling to Office Day’ to show how carbon footprint can be lowered by simply changing the transport mode.

Forty-five employees also planted 120 saplings in Galle at the Niyagama Vijitha Central College. Children from the school were also given a lesson on herbal plants by an Ayurvedic doctor.

Dimithri Perera, Country Manager, DHL Express Sri Lanka said: “The Pole 2 Pole challenge contributes and strengthens our sustainability actions. We are also collaborating with our colleagues across the world        to ensure we are delivering impact in creating a cleaner, greener and healthier planet. We wish thrill-seekers – Roland Thomas and Liv Marit Stern an invigorating journey as they reach the South Pole.”

Tharaka de Silva, Head of Human Resources, DHL Express Sri Lanka added: ”As we participate in a range of initiatives to mark the Pole to Pole challenge, our colleagues understand and acknowledge our responsibility to the planet and the environment. The projects are also aligned with our “Fit for Work, Fit for Life” initiatives, which promote a healthy work-life balance.”

The DHL Pole 2 Pole Challenge aims to show its support for climate protection by getting employees across the world to pass the Pole2Pole flag, starting from the North Pole and ending at the South Pole. At the end of the challenge, the flags would have been relayed through 100 countries, including Sri Lanka. The challenge also serves as a platform to raise $100,000 for Conservation International to support environment conservation. In addition, DHL employees are planting 100,000 trees around the world.

This challenge supports Deutsche Post DHL Group’s sustainability roadmap, where clear targets towards Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) were detailed in line with the Group’s Strategy 2025. As a company with the purpose of ‘Connecting people and Improving Lives’ executed through its sustainability programs, DHL aims to create a lasting impact on communities through its GO programs – GoGreen, which is focused on protecting the environment; GoHelp, which allows employees to extend support and logistics expertise to communities impacted by disasters; GoTrade, which aims to support small and medium enterprises in international trade; and GoTeach, which champions education and provide opportunities for skills training to disadvantaged children and youths.