UPS‘ environmental efforts pay off
UPS has been highlighted as a global leader for its corporate climate action efforts by CDP(formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project).
“It’s rewarding to see UPS’s efforts to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy being recognized,” said Tamara Barker, chief sustainability officer at UPS and vice president of environmental affairs. “UPS will continue to look for ways to lessen its environmental impacts as it’s important for companies to step up to do their part.”
Every year, thousands of companies disclose data about their environmental impacts, risks and opportunities to CDP. In 2018, companies were requested to do so by over 650 investors with over US$87 trillion in assets, and/or 115 major purchasing organisations with US$3.3 trillion in purchasing power. Companies are scored and given a grade for how effectively they are tackling climate change.
“As the severity of environmental risks to business becomes ever more apparent, these are the companies that are positioning themselves to provide solutions, seize new market opportunities and thrive in the transition to a sustainable economy,” said Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP.
CDP assesses companies on the comprehensiveness of their disclosure, their awareness and management of environmental risks and their demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets. In 2017, UPS set a goal to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global ground operations 12 percent by 2025.
UPS has been disclosing to CDP for 16 years now and has long sought ways to reduce its environmental impact and operate more efficiently. In 2003, it became a charter partner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program; in 2009 it became the first small package carrier in the United States to offer carbon offsets to customers; and in 2011 it became a “Clean Fleets” partner with the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, UPS has been taking a Rolling Lab approach to test alternative fuel and advanced technologies for its fleet for decades. This specialized fleet now drives more than a million miles each business day.
