UPS cuts greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2% in 2012

UPS reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions from operations and purchased energy by 2.1% in2012 implemented various other environmental and humanitarian initiatives last year, according to

The company’s environmental achievements include ground and air fuel savings, increasedinvestments in alternative fuel vehicles, and retooled routes. For example, telematics data fedthrough vehicle sensors helped UPS cut more than 206 million minutes of engine idling time lastyear, saving more than 5.5 million litres of fuel. Routeing technology increased pickup anddelivery stops per kilometre, saving approximately 20 million km of driving – equivalent toapproximately 5 million litres of fuel.

David Abney, UPS Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the company’s new alternative fuel goal: “By 2017, the company will reach one billion miles [1.6 billion km] driven by alternativefuel/advanced technology vehicles – more than double the previous 400 million mile goal.” Between2000 and the end of 2012, the alternative fuel/advanced technology fleet has logged 475 million kmgenerating a 43% increase last year with around 78 million km driven, compared to 2011.

UPS Airlines, which represents 57% of the group’s carbon footprint, also reduced its fuel useand carbon production, with fuel use dropping 1.3% despite a 4.8% increase in air shipping volumes.As part of its Global Forestry Initiative, more than 1 million trees are due to be planted by theend of this year.

UPS said that as “a socially responsible company with humanitarian relief efforts in 35countries”, the company contributed in-kind donations worth $2.6 million, while total charitablecontributions and its ‘United Way’ donations programme amounted to $97.5 million, up from $4million in 2011. UPS employees, friends and families set a new record with 1.8 million volunteerhours.

Earlier this year, UPS announced plans to add nearly 1,000 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tractorsin the next two years, expanding its current fleet of 2,700 alternative fuel and technologicallyadvanced vehicles. The fleet today includes all-electric, electric hybrids, hydraulic hybrids,natural gas (LNG, compressed natural gas), propane, biomethane, and light-weight fuel-savingcomposite body vehicles.

With vehicles representing approximately 35% of UPS’s carbon footprint, the company said it wasaccelerating testing, purchasing and deployment of new-generation vehicles.