UPS (NYSE: UPS) has adopted a plan to cut the carbon emissions of its
airline by an additional 20% by 2020, for a cumulative reduction of 42%
since 1990.
The goal is laid out in the latest edition of UPS's Sustainability Report, released Tuesday.
Aircraft emissions account for 53% of UPS's carbon output.
The aircraft goal is the first of a series of carbon reduction goals
that the company plans to set in the coming years, according to Bob
Stoffel, UPS senior vice president and the executive responsible for
UPS's sustainability program.
UPS intends to achieve its 2020 airline goals by investing in more
fuel-efficient aircraft types and engines; fuel-saving operational
initiatives, and the introduction of biofuels.
The report further discloses UPS's total global carbon inventory
including direct emissions as well as indirect emissions, a level of
reporting unusual for its industry.
UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis writes in the Sustainability
Report: "The fact is that customers rely on the transportation and
logistics industry as part of their supply chains. They need accurate
information from the industry in order to calculate their own CO2
inventories and report them to the public. For that reason, we advocate
full disclosure for the entire transportation and logistics industry."
UPS Airlines claims to be a leader in fuel
efficiency in the package delivery sector with an efficiency factor of
1.42 CO2 pounds per Available Ton Mile.
In May, UPS rival FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX) said it is aiming for 30% alternative fuel use by 2030.
