UPS launches carbon neutral shipping in Asia Pacific

Singapore among countries where UPS offers its “green” option to offset carbon dioxide.

UPS on Tuesday introduced its carbon neutral programme in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. UPS customers in those locations now have the option of paying a small fee to calculate and offset the impact of the carbon emissions associated with their shipments, according to a UPS report.

UPS is the first small package carrier to unveil this “green” product, building on its legacy of sustainable business practices and satisfying the demand for eco-friendly products. The new offerings, including a contract version for customers who want to offset the carbon impact of all their shipments, will be available starting 12 July.

“Our customers wanted a convenient, cost-effective means to address climate change in a real and tangible way,” said Derek Woodward, president of UPS Asia Pacific Region. “With the UPS carbon neutral service, customers have the option to address the environmental challenges of their supply chains by simply ticking a box during the shipping process.”

As part of the initial launch, UPS purchased offsets from the Garcia River Forest Climate Action Project, overseen by The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund. To encourage customers to participate in this programme, UPS will match offset purchases up to $1 million in 2010.

The calculation to measure the carbon (CO2) impact of the customers’ shipments is based on current and historical operational data, including distance and transport mode and a comprehensive carbon inventory. UPS’s proprietary calculation methodology and processes are verified by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS).

In addition, the carbon offset process also is certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. The calculator is based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely used international standard for carbon accounting and reporting.

When a customer elects to neutralise their shipments, UPS will calculate the carbon impact and then purchase high-quality certified carbon offsets on the customer’s behalf.

UPS will target offsets certified to the “Gold Standard,” “Voluntary Carbon Standard” or “Climate Action Reserve.” UPS pursues sustainable business practices worldwide through operational efficiency, conservation initiatives and industry-leading innovations.