Australia Post has become the first government business enterprise to set itself a net zero target, aiming to achieve it by 2050 through a series of initiatives, including using 100 per cent renewable energy in three years time, and aligning its packaging sustainability goals with the 2025 National Packaging Targets.
The mail monopoly has launched its 2025 Sustainability Roadmap, and is now engaged in actions across all aspects of its business to get to net zero.
In the next three years these include reducing emissions by 15 per cent, from the 2019 baseline; sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy; having a 100 per cent ‘fully sustainable’ packaging range aligned to the 2025 National Packaging Targets; decreasing waste to landfill by 20 per cent from its 2019 baseline; and spending $100m with social enterprise and Indigenous suppliers.
AusPost already has Australia’s largest fleet of electric delivery vehicles. Its 2025 emissions reduction target is validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Australia Post will be undertaking a comprehensive range of initiatives to reduce Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions
The Roadmap outlines a science-based approach that aligns with the aims of the UN Paris Agreement and includes a 2025 emissions reduction target validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative in 2021.
The initiative to target Net Zero emissions by 2050 involves investment in renewables and the electric fleet. The Roadmap identifies opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the supply chain, including crucial initiatives to invest in sustainable aviation fuel.
Group CEO and managing director Paul Graham said the Roadmap will build on the “strong results” Australia Post has already achieved in reducing the carbon intensity of operations. “I am incredibly proud of our sustainability credentials. Over the past few years, we have seen unprecedented growth in our parcels business because of the pandemic. Although, as our revenue has climbed, our carbon intensity has dropped. In fact, the carbon emissions per parcel associated with sending the average domestic parcel via Parcel Post halved between FY18 and FY21.”
“That’s a great start but we still have a long way to go, Australia Post will target Net Zero by 2050 as part of our 2025 Sustainability Roadmap launched today. This plan will guide Australia Post in the next phase of our sustainability journey as it becomes even more critical to accelerate our decarbonisation.
“We hope as Australia’s longest running business, with one of the country’s largest and most diverse workforces, that our transformation can inspire other organisations to follow suit. If we can do it, so can you.”
Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, welcomed Australia Post’s initiative to target Net Zero after the Federal Government’s landmark Climate Change Bill passed through Parliament earlier in September. She said, “Australia is serious about reducing emissions and it is fantastic to see Australia Post, one of the oldest and most established institutions in the country, supporting our Net Zero ambitions.”
Since FY19 Australia Post’s revenue grew by 28 per cent while carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined reduced by 21 per cent. In FY22 Australia Post revenue grew by 8.5 per cent, while carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined reduced by 4 per cent.
Between FY18 and FY21 the carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined per parcel associated with sending the average domestic parcel via Parcel Post reduced by 51 per cent; a domestic parcel via Express Post reduced by 35 per cent; and international parcel reduced by 16 per cent.
Australia Post has increased its fleet of electric delivery vehicles to 4,635, making it the largest electric delivery vehicle fleet in Australia. Australia Post’s fleet of electric delivery vehicles covers 28 million kilometres each year – that’s more than twice the distance of Earth’s circumference every delivery day.
