Irish postal operator An Post has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions three months ahead of schedule, becoming one of the first national postal organizations in the world to reach this milestone.
The post has achieved the target through its €200m (US$232m) Green Light Strategy, transforming the business while driving both sustainability and strong commercial performance. The post has invested €100m (US$116m) to decarbonize its operations, with more than half of its delivery routes now electrified by the nation’s largest electric vehicle fleet. A total of 95% of heavy vehicles have been switched to renewable HVO fuel, with 99% of its buildings now powered with green energy. This 50% milestone has been achieved despite a 300% increase in parcels, from 20 million delivered in 2009 to 78 million this year – 1.25 million extra parcels delivered each week.
David McRedmond, CEO at An Post, commented, “At An Post our commitment to sustainability is real. We are building a cleaner, more resilient logistics network for decades to come. Achieving the 50% reduction target early is proof of how serious our commitment is. As the operator of the largest fleet in Ireland, this has required a relentless approach to electrifying the fleet and using renewable fuels. It is a huge credit to the frontline staff in An Post, across every community, that while transforming to a parcel logistics business they have also achieved a world-class standard in sustainability.
“Halving our emissions is a huge step, but it is only part of the journey. The next task is to meet net zero by 2030. Achieving the first of our targets gives us renewed confidence that we will also achieve this goal on time with more EVs, renewable fuel and energy. ‘We act for the common good, now, and for generations to come’ is our promise, and today, thanks to the amazing efforts of An Post staff, our suppliers and our customers, we can show that we are delivering.”
Owen Keogh, An Post head of sustainability, explained that An Post is now one of the largest electric vehicle operators per capita in the world: “There is currently one EV for every 2,700 people in Ireland, and An Post is ranked amongst the top five global postal companies for sustainability, positioning it as a leader in decarbonized logistics and a model for public-sector transformation.
“Our experience with EVs has been exceptional with 50% fewer breakdowns and reduced mechanical interventions compared to diesel vehicles. An Post expects to extend EV leases to up to seven years from 2026. This year alone, An Post EVs will travel 18,000,000km emissions-free, keeping Ireland moving with cleaner air for communities.”
The company is now halfway to net zero emissions by 2030 with additional EVs and HVO-fueled trucks and more solar energy at buildings planned for the coming years.
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