UPS announces new energy-based sustainability goals
UPS on Tuesday announced aggressive new sustainability goals to add more alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to its fleet while increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources.
The goals, available in the company’s “2016 Corporate Sustainability Report”, support UPS’s commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse-gas emissions from global ground operations by 12 per cent by 2025, a goal developed using a methodology approved by the “Science Based Targets” initiative.
“Because of our size and scale, we know our commitments can shape markets, advance technologies and be a catalyst for infrastructure investments,” said David Abney, UPS chairman and chief executive officer.
“We rely on the ingenuity of our employees, suppliers and technology partners to help us reach goals that will transform the shipping industry and spur innovation.”
UPS has a goal that 25 per cent of the electricity it consumes will come from renewable energy sources by 2025, a dramatic increase from just 0.2 per cent last year.
In addition, by 2020 UPS plans that one in four new vehicles purchased annually will be an alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle, up from 16 per cent in 2016.
The company also set a new goal that by 2025, 40 per cent of all ground fuel will be from sources other than conventional gasoline and diesel, compared to 19.6 per cent in 2016.
UPS operates more than 8,300 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles worldwide. Since 2009, UPS has invested more than US$750 million (Bt25.5 billion) in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations globally.
“In Thailand, our sustainability efforts are making an impact, led by the planting of more than 160,000 trees as part of our sponsorship since 2010 of the Rajapruek Institute Foundation,” said Boon Tiam Tan, managing director of UPS Thailand.
“Rajapruek is a non-profit organisation that conserves natural resources and the environment by increasing the number of trees and forest areas. UPS Thailand currently deploys 10 compressed natural gas vehicles that are part of our global alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. These vehicles help us to drive cleaner miles.”
