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글로벌 항공·특송 물류 기업의 저탄소 연료 전환 전략 비교 연구: DHL Express와 FedEx 사례를 중심으로

Hana Kim Primary Contact , Jae-eun Kim Corresponding Author
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Abstract

(1) Background/Purpose: The aviation express logistics sector remains the hardest transport mode to decarbonize due to the impracticality of battery-electric propulsion for long-haul freight. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as the most viable near-term abatement lever, yet the strategic approaches of leading carriers diverge sharply and lack systematic academic comparison. This study addresses that gap by comparing the SAF transition strategies of DHL Express and FedEx. (2) Study De-sign/Methodology: A multiple case study design (Yin, 2018) is applied to two purposively selected global express carriers. Six theory-grounded evaluation criteria were derived from the carbon management typology of Herold and Lee (2017), the logistics decar-bonization framework of McKinnon (2018), and the integrated abatement portfolio model of Sgouridis et al. (2011). Data from corporate ESG reports, annual reports, press releases, and industry publications are analyzed through within-case and cross-case pattern matching. (3) Findings: DHL Express pursues a Demand-Pull with Customer Co-Creation strategy centered on long-term offtake agreements and customer cost-sharing via GoGreen Plus, targeting 30% SAF by 2030. FedEx adopts a Technology-First Supply-Push strategy, allocating roughly USD 2 billion to next-generation SAF producers and com-plementary technologies en route to carbon-neutral operations by 2040. Both firms rec-ognize SAF as the primary decarbonization lever and adopt portfolio approaches aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks. (4) Originality/Value: This study offers a six-dimensional analytical framework reusable in subsequent research and a strategic typology that provides practical guidance for logistics firms designing decarbonization roadmaps and for policymakers calibrating SAF support mechanisms.

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Keywords
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) decarbonization express logistics DHL Express FedEx carbon management low-carbon fuel transition case study
Details
Section 논문
Issue Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Volume 11 Issue 1 (Jun 2026)
Published 2026-06-18
Authors
Hana Kim Primary Contact
Seoul School of Integrated Science and Technologies
Jae-eun Kim Corresponding Author
Seoul School of Integrated Science and Technologies
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How to Cite
글로벌 항공·특송 물류 기업의 저탄소 연료 전환 전략 비교 연구: DHL Express와 FedEx 사례를 중심으로. (2026). Journal of Sustainability Management, 11(1). https://jnl.ampla.page/jsm/article/view/134