UPS and UPU release World Environment Day statements

American courier company UPS and the UN's Universal Postal Union have both released statements to mark World Environment Day on June 5th.

UPS

UPS announced that it would be matching the carbon offsets of all packages shipped via its carbon neutral programme during the month of June.

Carbon offsetting means the company estimates the carbon impact of each shipment and “offsets” it either by reducing emissions elsewhere or by investing in green initiatives such as planting trees.

Through UPS' programme, shippers normally pay an extra fee towards one of these initiatives to “offset” the carbon footprint of their own shipment—and it's these shipments UPS will be matching, potentially allowing shippers to be “carbon negative” by offsetting their shipments twice over.

Credit: Jason Leem

UPU

The Universal Postal Union, which is a branch of the United Nations that co-ordinates mail service policies among almost 200 nations, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability.

“We support postal operators globally in their dedicated efforts to confront waste and reduce their ecological footprint," said Director General Bishar A. Hussein.

“UPU is also climate neutral and we continue to work with our many partners in the UN system to help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“On World Environment Day, the UPU affirms its longstanding commitment to helping to protect the environment. It’s time for us to act. It’s time for nature.”