Australia Post has today announced that since October 2019, through its Post Office Network and MyPost Business platform, and working in partnership with Qantas Future Planet, it has offset more than 200,000 tonnes of emissions – the equivalent of taking 85,000 cars off the road.
The announcement comes ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday, and as the organisation’s science based target to reduce absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 15 per cent by 2025 was officially validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, making Australia Post one of 13 organisations nationally to have their target validated.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Community & Consumer Nicole Sheffield said she was incredibly proud of these results and Australia Post’s commitment to reduce its environmental impact to help drive a sustainable future for all Australians.
“This significant offset of 108 million parcel deliveries and more than 200,000 tonnes of emissions has occurred during a period of incredible growth in eCommerce with the help of Qantas Future Planet,” Ms Sheffield said.
“Australia Post invests in a mix of carbon offset programs both domestically and overseas and the programs we fund, such as Indigenous Fire Management in Arnhem Land and Native Forest Regeneration in NSW, align with our strategic priorities, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals we impact most directly through our operations.
“We know every delivery has a carbon footprint and offsets are only part of the solution, that’s why we’re committed to reducing our emissions while growing our business through energy efficiency upgrades in our facilities, network improvements, adoption of low carbon technology, and increasing our use of renewable energy,” Ms Sheffield concluded.
Qantas Group Executive for Government, Industry, International and Sustainability Andrew Parker said carbon offsetting plays a critical role in managing the environmental impact of doing business today.
“We are proud to be partnering with Australia Post through the Qantas Future Planet program on high-quality carbon offsets that deliver immediate environmental impact and are key in financing projects which create Indigenous employment opportunities, deliver clean energy and restore native Australian landscapes,” Mr Parker continued.
Australia Post is Australia’s largest electric fleet operator with more than 3300 electric delivery vehicles and electric bikes delivering around the country. The organisation will also soon welcome the Fuso eCanter to its fleet, with the small electric truck completing deliveries in Melbourne’s CBD after having completed a trial in 2019.
Australia Post is currently two-thirds of the way through its 2020-22 Group Corporate Responsibility Plan Everyone Matters: Our plan for inclusive and sustainable prosperity. The strategy is available at: auspost.com.au/CR
About Australia Post’s science-based target:
Australia Post is committed to reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent by FY2025 (from a FY2019 baseline), aligned with a well-below 2°C pathway.
About Qantas Future Planet:
Qantas Future Planet is a partnership between Qantas and Tasman Environmental Markets. Collectively we help manage the carbon offsetting needs for over 25 large organisations across Australia and globally alongside of building a network of collaboration in sustainability. Find out more here.