Royal Mail has brought forward its Net Zero target by a decade to 2040 and is committing to near term emissions targets in line with climate science, reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter by 2025/26 and Scope 3 emissions by another quarter by 2030.

The company has also launched a new environment plan, which includes a long-term target to reduce its average carbon emissions per parcel it delivers in the UK from 205gCO2e today to 50gCO2e, roughly the same as making a cup of tea.

The four-pillar Steps to Zero plan features new commitments, including net-zero deliveries by rolling out more electric vans for final mile deliveries, with 5,500 vans by Spring 2023; net-zero operations with 100 per cent renewable electricity across the Royal Mail business, reducing reliance on domestic flights and increasing the use of rail; transforming operations to embrace the circular economy and helping customers do the same through our Parcel Collect service and pushing for a standardised industry-wide reporting on CO2e per parcel so customers can make an informed decision, and collaborating with partners to speed up the roll out of electric and low emission vehicles across the UK.

Simon Thompson, CEO at Royal Mail, said: “A seven-day parcel service, to and from the customer’s door, delivered by a postie you trust and with the lowest emissions is the winning proposition. Environment is the next battleground for businesses, and we are determined to lead. Setting an ambitious target to reduce parcel emissions to 50 gCO2e demonstrates our commitment to driving change and minimising our impact on the environment.”

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