Australia Post has launched its 2025 Sustainability Roadmap, which targets net zero emissions by 2050.
The roadmap outlines a range of targets to deliver a sustainable future, including: reducing emissions by 15% by 2025 (FY19 baseline); sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2025; 100% fully sustainable packaging range aligned to the 2025 National Packaging Targets by 2025; decreasing waste to landfill by 20% (FY19 baseline) by 2025; and spending A$100m (US$64.7m) with social enterprise and Indigenous suppliers by 2025.
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 company’s electric fleet. The roadmap identifies opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the supply chain, including initiatives to invest in sustainable aviation fuel.
Since 2019, Australia Post’s carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined reduced by 21%. In particular, in 2022, Australia Post carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined was reduced by 4%. Australia Post also increased its fleet of electric delivery vehicles to 4,600, meaning its electric fleet covers approximately 28,000,000km each year.
Paul Graham, CEO and managing director, Australia Post, 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 2018 and 2021. That’s a great start but we still have a long way to go, and I am delighted to announce Australia Post will target net zero by 2050 as part of our 2025 Sustainability Roadmap. This plan will guide Australia Post in the next phase of our sustainability journey as it becomes even more critical to accelerate our decarbonization.”
Michelle Rowland, the Australian Minister for Communications, 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.”