UN to help postal sector go ‘green’

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have signed an agreement to slash the carbon dioxide emissions caused by the postal sector.

Under the agreement, both the agencies will work together to calculate the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions created by postal services around the globe, including a survey of buildings and an assessment of the mileage covered and fuel consumed by vehicles.

Once emissions have been calculated, UNEP will help the UPU develop a method to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the postal sector.

Together the two agencies plan to offer a range of solutions to postal operators in the UPU’s 191 member states, focusing on ways to cut greenhouse gases.

The UPU said that 6.6 lakh postal establishments use some 2.5 lakh motorcycles, over six lakh cars, vans and trucks, as well as hundreds of aircraft, to deliver mail to the four corners of the world. In addition, tonnes of paper are used for daily communications.

The agency further said that the sector therefore has a significant role to play in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

“By joining our forces we are bringing the issue of sustainability to one of the major global networks, the postal service, which not only has a massive responsibility to connect the world but also has a significant footprint,” UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said.

The UPU is a member of the UN’s Environment Management Group, and has formed a global network of correspondents within the postal operators of its member countries to help raise awareness, within the worldwide postal sector, of the importance of adopting green policies and sharing best practices.

Many posts today recognise the impact of their activities on the environment, and have adopted environmental policies accordingly, the UNEP said.

Some of them have acquired non-polluting vehicles and use eco-friendly materials, actively participate in recycling programmes, or have adopted green purchasing policies, the agency added.