TNT to roll out carbon-neutral services in major European countries
Express delivery giant TNT has said it is converting all of its domestic shipping services to carbon neutral offerings in major European markets, free of charge. The company said it has started with express services in Germany, and will roll out the upgraded services in other large European countries in the coming months.
The move will help small business customers and large customers alike to mitigate their environmental impacts, the Netherlands-based carrier said.
Making a service carbon neutral means either directly or indirectly countering the climate change-causing carbon dioxide emissions generated by providing the service.
As well as attempting to reduce the emissions from actually providing the shipping services, TNT will have to invest money in environmental projects that reduce carbon emissions elsewhere, in order to offset the rest of the impact of its shipping services.
TNT said it will be buying carbon credits that support renewable energy projects in order to offset the emissions from its carbon-neutral services.
French external auditors Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) will verify that the green energy projects meet the “Gold Standard” for carbon offsets. TNT said its measurement of shipping emissions complies with the European standard, EN 16258.
For a fee, customers will also be able to opt for carbon neutral services for their international shipping. Those that do will receive a yearly certificate detailing their carbon offsetting totals.
Road Network
TNT said its CO2 Neutral shipping services take advantage of its European Road Network, which it said can help drive down carbon emissions because it avoids use of air transport.
The company said: “CO2 Neutral shipping is part of TNT’s renewed range of CO2 services, which also includes tools to measure historic emissions and model future ones. These services equip customers with knowledge and allow them to take action. They are designed to meet the needs of both large companies with comprehensive carbon reduction programmes and SMEs that rely on practical third-party tools.”
TNT’s move demonstrates the continuing demand for lower-carbon shipping services among business customers, despite difficulties in the global economy.
Players in the express and postal industries now providing carbon neutral shipping services include DHL, FedEx, GLS, La Poste Group, Swiss Post and UPS.
Deutsche Post DHL introduced its first carbon-neutral shipping services as far back as 2005.
