Zero-emission operations

Our distribution networks support deliveries by conveying mail across the country and beyond and account for the largest part of our emissions profile. We are working to reduce our transport and estate emissions by:

  • Operating more zero-emission vehicles and using biofuels (27 million litres of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil in 2024-25)
  • Redesigning our parcel pipeline to be more efficient and responsive to parcel volumes.
  • Removing air freight in favour of road  transportation where feasible.
  • Focusing on energy performance, controls and behaviours.

Our Steps to Zero journey

Zero-emission operations

Net zero deliveries

Making circular happen

Making circular happen

Collaborating for action

Collaborating for action

 
How Royal Mail are delivering a sustainable future

We are the UK’s greenest delivery option for letters and parcels based on average gCO2e emissions per parcel delivered by UK parcel operators, as published by Citizens Advice 2024 Parcels League Table. In 2024-25 we continued to decarbonise our business which has again resulted in a drop in our total emissions and in our CO2e emissions per parcel to 165gCO2e, compared to 206gCO2e in the prior year. This is well below the reported emissions of our main peers.

We operate the UK’s largest electric van delivery fleet, with c.7,000 electric vans.

Yes. Royal Mail has committed to achieving Net-Zero by 2040 and has announced interim (2030) targets that have been externally validated by the Science-based Target Initiative (SBTi).

Please take a look at our ESG Report 2024-25pdf, 7.91 MB.