Archive
Contributor

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, which means millions of people will hit the nation’s back roads and highways en route to vacation destinations. In fact, AAA reports that an additional 500,000 cars will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend compared to last year although many will stay closer to home. Stop and go traffic, poor vehicle maintenance and cars laden with vacation gear can reduce fuel economy significantly.

With 100,000 drivers on the road throughout the world, we have mastered the art and science of fuel conservation. Via a combination of technology and driver behavior, UPS avoided driving more than 63.5 million miles in one year with an associated emissions avoidance of 68,000 metric tonnes.

Read More »

It’s that time of year again. Sustainability leaders are cranking through reams of data and copy as they prepare for the annual corporate Sustainability Report season.

A credible report means meticulously examining the numbers that indicate your company’s environmental, social and economic impact and then putting it in context. The data must serve a wide variety of stakeholders so that they can find the information they want, evaluate its importance and then make an informed decision about their business partners.

Read More »

Sometimes nice guys DO finish first.

David Guernsey, a member of UPS’s Corporate Sustainability Team, has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for his long-term contribution to advancing the EPA’s SmartWay program. The SmartWay program helps businesses assess and reduce fuel use and emissions from shipping. Created in 2004, the program addresses the marketplace’s growing need for a transparent and sophisticated level of carbon footprint assessment.  This is the first time the agency has honored individuals as “SmartWay Champions.”

Read More »

Earlier this month, UPS was informed by the Carbon Disclosure Project that it had received the highest score (99 out of 100) on its Global 500 Leadership Index. UPS is one of only four companies with that top score.  

The Index is comprised of companies that “have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance regarding climate change information disclosure practices. Companies are scored on their climate change disclosure, and high scores indicate good internal data management and understanding of climate change related issues affecting the company.”  We are always grateful for high scores from third-parties, especially one as prestigious and credible as CDP.

In this case, the CDP score represents more than just an external accolade. It also is an achievement earned through thoughtful action on the company’s part.

Read More »

It’s Sustainability Report season again. Companies around the world are sending out notices of their web-posted reports, highlighting their achievements with colorful charts, graphs and photos.

These reports represent the best and worst of the sustainability movement. At their worst, reports are shallow marketing pieces that breathlessly brag about one-off programs designed to be proof points for corporate responsibility. At their best, sustainability reports provide a transparent, quantified, balanced view of the company’s impact and ambitions.

To know the difference, readers need to be aware of what makes a credible Sustainability Report. Here’s my check list. The report…

Read More »

Memories of the forest….

….. falling asleep in a bed of soft pine needles under the sinking sun

….. trekking gorillas in the highlands of Uganda

….. awestruck at the majesty of the mighty California redwoods

….. swinging on vines as a kid in the Maryland woods near home

These personal reflections were the beginning of a two-day workshop about the universal appeal of nature, conservation and the power of the world’s forests to combat climate change. UPS sponsored the event that included employees, customers and three non-profit organizations.

The workshop, conducted by the environmental research group Earthwatch Institute, gave participants the opportunity to learn about the science of climate change, to experience field research, and to share best practices about how corporations can help mitigate their environmental impact by supporting forestry projects. Participants met at the Gault Nature Reserve in Mont-Saint-Hilaire Quebec.

Read More »

This week, top environmentally-minded business leaders and the green movement’s brightest thinkers will convene in Laguna Niguel California for Fortune Magazine’s fourth Brainstorm GREEN conference. UPS is a gold sponsor of the event.

The decision to sponsor this prestigious event signals a sort of debutante ball for UPS. The company has quietly been building its reputation as a sustainability leader integrating green strategies into its business model and operations. UPS also has been a behind-the-scenes industry advocate for transparency – comprehensively and quantitatively reporting environmental impact in the annual sustainability report, with the Carbon Disclosure Project and other groups.

Read More »

Two years ago, Transportation Manager Chip Chappelle volunteered to help The UPS Foundation coordinate an ocean shipment of emergency tents from Indiana to Honduras.  Since then, he has managed the logistics of humanitarian aid from every corner of the world to help the victims of floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones.

On March 21, Chip was recognized by President George W. Bush at a gala event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which aired March 28 on NBC. The event celebrated President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara for their achievements in encouraging volunteerism. A video shown at the event showcased how UPSers and UNICEF worked together around the clock to rapidly respond to the needs of Haiti earthquake victims.

Read More »

Joe Ruiz with The UPS Foundation

For the last four days, The UPS Foundation’s Joe Ruiz has been on the phone. His job is to figure out how UPS can best leverage its transportation network, humanitarian logistics teams and funds to help the victims of Friday’s tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Joe has been working with UPSers in Japan to assess whether the roads are good enough to reach the most damaged areas of the country. He’s been talking to colleagues at UPS Airlines to determine whether flights can reliably go in and out of Narita Airport outside Tokyo. Joe also has been coordinating with UPS’s relief partners around the world to determine if they need UPS resources, such as airlift, staff and facilities. Read More »

Every year Climate Counts, an environmental advocacy group, publishes its rankings on which companies are positively addressing climate change. For the second year, UPS tops the list for consumer shipping. The timing couldn’t be better for our customers who care about the environment. It’s the holiday season and shopping and shipping is in full force.

Read More »