Zero emission operations
The second pillar of Steps to Zero focuses on our operations. This includes our domestic and international transport networks (owned and third-party) including rail and air freight and the emissions associated with running our building estate. These emissions represent 70% of our total emissions profile.
We aim to reduce these emissions by:
- Increasing our use of lower emission HGVs and biofuels
- Reducing our use of air freight
- Generating and purchasing 100% renewable electricity for our buildings
- Reducing heating fuel use through energy efficiency measures
Our Steps to zero journey
How Royal Mail are delivering a sustainable future
We are committed to providing sustainable services for our customers and communities as we deliver against our environmental ambitions.
We are working hard to reduce the emissions of our operations. Building on our network of on-foot deliveries, we are rolling out electric vans, trialling low-emission trucks and using renewable energy to power our buildings to help reduce our emissions even further.
As a result, we have a growing number of all-electric delivery offices, in which all deliveries are zero emission, while almost all our buildings are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
We have the UK’s largest electric fleet of any major UK parcel operator, with 5,000 electric vans in service today.
We continue to trial other alternative fuel vehicles such as micro electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as other delivery models – including delivery by drone!
Our network of over 85,000 posties means we can also collect your parcel while we’re out delivering. By reducing the number of journeys we can help bring down emissions and congestion levels.
Our unique ‘feet on the street’ delivery model significantly contributes to keeping our emissions low when compared to our competitors. Over half of our parcel delivery routes are wholly or partially on foot, while 21% of our delivery routes are now zero emission.
Please take a look at our 2022-23 Environment, Social and Governance Report report.