bpost pushes envelope with green initiatives

Programmes to reduce energy use, use alternate fuels in delivery fleets, and protect nature have made for an award-winning environmental programme at bpost. The group received a ‘Lean and Green’ label in December 2014, an award that recognises business efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions from transport and logistics activities, and also obtained xthe highest rating (“A”) in the Climate Performance Leadership Index for its performance under the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

Between 2007 and 2014, bpost reduced CO₂ emissions from its operations by 35%, while between 2005 and 2014 it cut energy consumption by 18%, while waste has decreased by 14% between 2009 and 2014. These achievements have been made possible by a host of environmental initiatives the group has brought in.

The mainstays of the policy include an energy consumption reduction plan for its buildings and its vehicle fleet, an eco-driving initiative for drivers, and an alternative fuel vehicles testing programme. bpost has also launched the City Logistics project, which aims to cut the number of deliveries made into the city centre by consolidating items within a facility on the outskirts of the city first. It is anticipated that the project could cut the amount of kilometres driven, and pollutants emitted, by as much as 30%. After a successful pilot in Antwerp, City Logistics will subsequently be rolled out in Brussels.

The company is also working to protect nature by planting a one hectare ‘bpost forest’ in the Waver forest in Lier. This investment was made in partnership with Natuurpunt, to which bpost awarded a long lease on a plot of land close to Ekeren to use for a project to protect biodiversity and local flora.

Encouraged by these results, bpost plans to continue its efforts to use energy rationally and minimise its environmental impact. New targets have been set for 2020, including a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2007 and a 25% cut in energy consumption compared to 2005 levels.