Emission targets exceeded in Europe
European postal operators participating in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programme recorded a total reduction of 465,000 tonnes of CO2 collectively from 2007 to 2009. The results were revealed by PostEurop as a part of its 2010 Environmental Report.
The 16 participating operators have contributed to a 15% reduction from 2007 to date, in which 2009 alone records a 13% reduction in emission.
Based on a common CO2 measurement protocol established in April 2008, data collection and sharing was made possible for European Postal Operators.
It was then that participating postal operators, representing approximately 75% of European postal mail volumes set a target to collectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 10% towards end of 2012.
The 2010 Environmental Report, an independent audit, verified the data and reported that a significant reduction in CO2 emission was achieved in 2009 alone. “This is mainly due to postal operators switching from conventional to Green Electricity supply. The direct impact of just Green Electricity in 2009 accounts for 297,000 tonnes (approximately 63% of the total reduction achieved),” it confirmed.
Commenting on the results, Stéphanie Scouppe, chairperson of PostEurop Environment Working Group, said: “2009 has been a remarkable year for environmental experts and the results speaks for itself. Without a doubt, this proves that we are on the right track and motivates us to work together with customers, supplier and other stakeholders.”
Dr. Botond Szebeny, PostEurop secretary general, added: “The sharing of best practices, ideas and engagement within the programme for mutual benefits of our members has paved way for new and concrete Environmental initiatives to further increase efforts to meet and exceed our goal beyond next year.
“I am confident and optimistic that our systematic approach will yield even more great results in the future.”
The 16 participating operators are: Österreichische Post (Austria), CTT-Correios (Portugal), Deutsche Post DHL (Germany), bpost (Belgium), Itella (Finland), Groupe La Poste (France), Magyar Posta (Hungary), Posten Norden (Denmark and Sweden), Poste Italiane, (Italy), Posten Norge (Norway), Royal Mail Group (United Kingdom), Swiss Post (Switzerland), P&T Luxembourg (Luxembourg); Posta Romana (Romania), Posten Åland (Finland), and Poste Srpske (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
