UPS Goes Carbon Neutral With Offset Program

The transportation industry, and heavy and light-duty vehicles in particular, uses a significant amount of energy and emits large portions of CO2 every year. This contributes to the greenhouse gas effect. An offset program like UPS’s carbon neutral service, though, can help minimize these emissions, paving the way for a new era of sustainable shipping.

Business owners or executives can then implement this service into their supply and demand operations, demonstrating a commitment to reducing emissions.

What Is UPS’s Carbon Neutral Shipping Program?

Carbon neutrality involves a net-zero release of CO2 in the atmosphere, which often comes in the form of offset programs and plans. Net-zero signifies an equal amount of emissions that an organization produces and takes from the atmosphere. UPS has incorporated this into its business model.

UPS rolled out its carbon neutral shipping option several years ago and has been improving upon it ever since. It is a service that business owners can opt into. They pay a small amount for it, which allows UPS to contribute funding to sustainable projects.

These projects help offset the amount of carbon emissions in each shipment. This option benefits all parties involved. UPS lowers its emissions, businesses display their strides for sustainability and the environment receives less pollution as well.

Since shipping emissions have an extensive impact on the environment, all transportation companies need to monitor and re-evaluate their levels. Something as minor as idling can cost the company and contribute to CO2 output. Carbon neutrality balances some of that.

Businesses Can Join to Implement More Sustainable Shipping

UPS’s developments are sure to affect other businesses that ship. Sustainable company operations and production are now a movement. Business owners and executives will benefit from committing to that movement.

Many major shippers already offer carbon-neutral shipping or other forms of sustainable commitments, making it easy for businesses to opt-in. The companies with non-sustainable fleets and freight will likely begin to make the switch. Though it can take time, the cultural drives to become more sustainable are pushing operations forward.

For instance, Amazon has become a huge name in e-commerce. It pledged to be fully carbon-neutral by 2040, among other environmental commitments and projects. With a monumental company like Amazon going green, many businesses will follow.

It’s somewhat of a domino effect. As the sustainable movement picks up more momentum with each day, companies will follow along and make the changes.

How Can Businesses Make Progress Toward Being Carbon Neutral

There are many ways businesses of any size can adapt to the call to action for sustainability like UPS is doing. Many employees are likely already invested or interested in learning more about green living and business. It’s important to engage with employees or other companies that are striving for sustainability.

For instance, going paperless is an actionable step that’s realistic in a shorter period. This digitizes all documents and information in the workplace, cutting down on the company’s footprint.

Opting for energy-saving devices and systems can help, too. These reduce the amount of energy the workplace consumes. When businesses need to ship, remember that better storage within the trucks or vehicles means fewer trips, as well as less CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

Last, working from home is a beneficial option for businesses and employees that are able. If a company doesn’t require that employees be in the office every day of the week, the staff may be able to work from home one or two times per week. This can reduce fuel emissions drastically.

Going Carbon Neutral Includes Sustainable Shipping

While all of these methods help reduce CO2 in one way or another, taking advantage of UPS’s carbon neutral program is one of the best ways for a business to reduce emissions. The shipping company’s offset program allows a big company to make a major change without hurting operations.

With these developments, the future appears greener, cleaner and more sustainable.

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