Posts to align IPC emission targets with the UN’s goals
Postal chief executives gathered in Bonn, Germany last week at the IPC 2019 Annual Conference to mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of IPC’s Environmental Measurement and Monitoring System (EMMS) programme.
The IPC EMMS programme was one of the first sector-wide initiatives aimed at systematically reducing carbon emissions. With the Carbon Management Proficiency target reached in 2018, the programme has successfully reached the targets set in 2008.
Building on the successful achievements so far, the initiative is now expanding to align its objectives with those of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on health and safety, learning and development, air quality, climate change, resource efficiency, circular economy and sustainable procurement.
Holger Winklbauer, CEO of IPC explained: “Based on collaboration between participants over the past three years, a new UN SDG-aligned management proficiency questionnaire and performance indicators calculator were piloted in late 2018. Through open discussions and best-practice sharing, we are currently refining the new questionnaire and calculator. Once finalised, they will be deployed in the 2019 reporting cycle. We recognise the importance of setting aspirational yet achievable targets to drive sustainability within the sector. This is evidenced by the impressive progress that our group has made to date against the EMMS programme targets. As we saw the optimism and the drive of our CEOs, we remain confident they will carry on this success and continue to make a positive impact, in their countries of operation, communities and beyond.”
Meanwhile, posts are continuing to work towards the Science Based efficiency target of 20% emission reduction per letter/ parcel by 2025.
The EMMS group has achieved so far:
- A 30%-reduction in carbon emissions (2008 baseline)
- 91% in Carbon Management Proficiency, compared to 56% in 2008
- Collective savings of €1,735m through fuel and electricity savings
Holger Winklbauer, CEO of IPC said: “The postal sector was one of the first to launch a collective initiative aimed at increasing their carbon management proficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Collaboration is a key facet of the programme and through knowledge transfer and best practice sharing, the sector has been one of the most proactive in reducing its carbon footprint”.
“I congratulate members of the IPC for not only achieving their past emissions targets ahead of time”, said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, “but aligning their policies with the Sustainable Development Goals. This is exactly the leadership we need throughout the world as we urgently and collectively address climate change”.
Peter Bakker, President and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), said: “Achieving the SDGs and harnessing the potential they represent is beyond the reach of any single company. The ambitions of the Goals call for coordination and collective efforts from entire industry sectors. It is therefore critical that leading companies within sectors are coming together to develop an SDG roadmap.”
