As part of its commitment to being a leader in Ireland in sustainability, An Post has published its 2022 Sustainability Report.
The 2022 International Postal Corporation (IPC) Sustainability Measurement and Management System, an independently audited assessment, ranked An Post third among the world’s postal companies for sustainability. An Post continues to share its learnings and experience with posts worldwide and to seek out solutions for Ireland across its focus areas of climate action, sustainable communities, decent work, responsible consumption and innovation and partnerships.
Among other environmental highlights, An Post confirmed that it is on target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, with a 50% reduction by 2025, reducing carbon emissions by 12% year-on-year and 35% since 2009. It is also making progress to ensuring that 50% of its fleet run on alternative fuels by 2025 with 30% of its fleet doing so already. Its hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel trial for HGVS was expanded to Galway to Cork in 2022 with a 91.8% reduction in carbon emissions compared to diesel fuel. An Post also achieved zero waste to landfill for the fifth consecutive year.
Commenting on the 2022 Sustainability Report, David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, said, “Sustainability challenges and defines An Post. We are delivering on our key commitments on climate action, decent work and sustainable communities, and expanding into biodiversity and wherever An Post can act as a force for good now and for future generations.”
Launching its Sustainability Report, An Post also announced its No Mow May biodiversity campaign in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, encouraging the public to let pollinators and wildflowers flourish in the month of May. No Mow May encourages everyone to leave their lawnmowers in the shed, transform their lawns into areas of biodiversity through May and take time out with their families and friends to spot some local species around their homes. As part of An Post’s ‘Making Sustainable Living Commonplace’ strategy, vibrant recyclable ‘No Mow May’ postcards will be distributed to 2,300,000 million homes in the coming weeks to help the public to easily identify some of the stunning birds, insects and wildflowers in their flower boxes, balconies, gardens, local parks and playgrounds.
Nicola Woods, chief transformation officer at An Post, said “As we broaden out our sustainability focus, we are leading the conversation on business and biodiversity in Ireland. We began our biodiversity journey with colonies of native Irish honeybees on the GPO roof and explored the re-wilding of our land banks, before developing a more comprehensive strategy. This past year we performed a first-of-its-kind assessment in Ireland of nature-related risks, dependencies and impacts and this will help us develop site-specific landscaping plans – as what grows well in Kerry may not grow as well in Carlow. We want to protect and restore nature in Ireland, so No Mow May is a practical, impactful way in which we can all encourage as much biodiversity as possible. It’s all part of leaving a mark that we can be proud of and protecting the planet’s precious resources for future generations.”
Dr Úna Fitzpatrick, senior ecologist at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, welcomed the partnership with An Post to raise awareness of biodiversity and the practical ways in which people can play their part to support pollinators: “We are delighted to work with An Post to promote No Mow May. Biodiversity is in crisis, but small actions can make a big difference when we take them together. Changing the way that we mow our lawns can result in a tenfold increase in the amount of nectar available to bees and other pollinators. Unfortunately, we’ve lost most of our meadows from the countryside, but leaving our garden lawns to grow during May will have a hugely positive impact on many species.”
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