2Sustain

Earlier this week, UPS became the first small package carrier to offer its customers the ability to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the transport of their packages within the United States.

Under this new program, UPS will offer U.S. shippers the option of paying a small fee — $0.05 for UPS Ground services and $0.20 for UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air and UPS 3 Day Select services –to calculate and offset the climate impact of the shipment of each of their packages.

UPS will match the offset purchases, effectively doubling the offsets purchased in 2009-2010, up to $1 million.

“Our customers told us they wanted an easy, credible way to join us in our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains,” says Bob Stoffel, senior vice president, engineering, strategy, supply chain and sustainability. “These services complement UPS’s own sustainability efforts while offering customers a new option to address the environmental challenges of their supply chains.”

UPS is also launching a carbon analysis service for its high-volume customers. Under this plan, which is available only on a contract basis, UPS will calculate the carbon impact of a customer’s entire UPS shipping activity. The calculations then can be used by the shipper to purchase offsets directly or through UPS.

I have posted before about UPS’s sustainability efforts, including the company’s success in improving efficiencies and lowering emissions at one of the its largest data centers.

This new carbon neutral shipping program is one more way UPS is continuing to push the envelope and experiment with initiatives and strategies in the search for those that truly work. Because of their leadership, UPS customers –whether individuals or corporations –can gain more control over their climate impact.

Detailed information about UPS carbon neutral services is available at ups.com/carbonneutral.