Canada Post has earmarked C$1bn (US$785m) to cut emissions from its fleet by switching to non-emitting transportation, with commitments to reach a 50% electric fleet by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
Canada Post has also committed to a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, measured against 2019 levels. The target is built to meet the 1.5°C pathway of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The 2030 target sets Canada Post on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050 and will be submitted to the SBTi for approval.
At a Canada Post depot in Ottawa on June 9, the company showcased electric and low-emission vehicles, including some that it is piloting. The corporation is launching a trial of a low-speed vehicle on a postal route covering neighborhoods west of downtown Ottawa. The compact electric vehicle reaches maximum speeds of 40km/h. It will be used for delivery and collection activities for a year to evaluate its performance in operations and optimal safety procedures.
In May 2022, Canada Post unveiled a net-zero parcel sorting facility that will have the capacity to process approximately one million packages a day. The Albert Jackson Processing Centre is expected to be a key hub for the company’s national network and improve service for Canadians when it officially opens in 2023. The C$470m (US$368m) facility in Scarborough, Ontario, is intended to help the company meet the changing needs of Canadians and businesses across the country. The facility is the largest industrial project in Canada with the Zero Carbon Building Standard designation.
Doug Ettinger, president and CEO of Canada Post, said, “We have a responsibility to Canadians, and to their children and grandchildren, to help lead the way to a more sustainable future. Canada Post has one of the biggest fleets in the country, over 68,000 employees, a significant real estate portfolio, and an extensive supply chain. The challenge ahead is great, and we know the greening of our transportation is critical. That’s why we’ve committed to net-zero operations and a fully electric fleet by 2040. I’d like to thank our bargaining agents for their continued engagement and collaboration on this important step forward for the company.”
Cheryl Hodder, chief sustainability and legal officer at Canada Post, said, “Our climate commitments address Canada Post’s national operations from all angles. We’ll transform our fleet to electric, retrofit our buildings, build net-zero carbon buildings, and source renewable energy for our real estate and operations. We’ll collaborate with our suppliers, customers, partners and bargaining agents to meet our science-based target, while encouraging others to reduce emissions and take action. These are important measures for all Canadians, and we will continue to keep them updated on our progress.”