An Post accelerates targets in 2nd Sustainability Report

An Post has launched its second Sustainability Report highlighting the essential role An Post is playing in the national drive for carbon reduction and its commitment to sustainable living, better quality of life and a healthy island. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 23% since 2009 with An Post on track for 50% reduction by 2025, and carbon zero by 2030. The report also highlights An Post’s response to the Covid-19 crisis as part of its purpose to act for the common good.

The report was presented to Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minster for Transport Eamon Ryan TD, and Minster of State at the Department of Climate Action and Transport Hildegarde Naughton TD by David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, today, World Earth Day 2021.

An Post also marked World Earth Day with two special ‘For People, For Planet’ stamps, echoing the United Nations call to promote awareness of the global climate challenge and sustainability, and to encourage everyone to ‘Act Now’ on Climate Change. The stamps mark Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a particular focus on Climate Action as part of the ‘For People, For Planet’ campaign.

The report demonstrates An Post’s leadership role in Ireland’s transition towards a low carbon society.  An Post’s achievements in 2020 include:

• Zero emissions postal deliveries extended beyond Dublin to city centres in Waterford and Kilkenny
• Launch of the An Post Green Hub – a one-stop shop to enable citizens to live more sustainable lives
• Operating Ireland’s largest EV fleet with 1012 electric vehicles and 110 electric trikes in the An Post fleet
• COVID-19 community focus initiatives such as An Post delivery staff checking in on older vulnerable customers
• Narrowed the gender pay gap to 1.41% in 2020 (3.7% in 2019)
• 100% renewable energy used in An Post buildings
• Ranked sixth in Ireland by the Carbon Disclosure Project – an increase in ranking by six places since 2019
• A new sustainable procurement policy which audits suppliers in relation to SDGs
• Zero waste to landfill for the 3^rd consecutive year
• Water usage reduced by 31% compared to 2019

An Post’s 2030 commitments include:

• Net zero carbon emissions from An Post’s own operations by 2030, with a 50% reduction by 2025 (2009 base)
• Supporting 30,000 homeowners to retrofit their homes through the Green Hub by 2030 – becoming Ireland’s ‘go to’ location for greener living
• Gender balance across all management grades by 2030
• A post office in every community of over 500 people
• 2,000 electric vehicles in An Post’s fleet by 2022
• €100m of capital expenditure on sustainability by 2025

As one of the largest employers, maintaining one of the largest fleets and with the largest retail network in the country, An Post’s sustainability objectives are to focus on leading the way in making sustainable living commonplace in Ireland; revolutionise An Post’s operations to reduce waste, source sustainably and improve efficiency; partner with industry leaders to ignite innovation; be a national champion for protecting the planet and make a positive impact on An Post’s communities and the planet.

Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD said: “An Post’s decision to bring forward its net zero emission target to 2030 is a visionary step.  It marks the company’s awareness of the impacts and urgency of climate change and demonstrates courage and commitment in pursuing Ireland’s Sustainability goals. An Post is truly living up to its role as one of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goal Champions and sets an excellent example for other semi-state organisations to follow. An Post’s zero emissions vehicles are very visible symbols on our streets every day of what public sector organisations can do to show leadership on emissions reduction, and their proactive step in setting up the Green Hub to support retrofitting is another example of their vision in action.”

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Hildegarde Naughton TD, who has responsibility for An Post said: “This Sustainability Report 2020 demonstrates An Post’s commitment to measuring what matters, and to setting stretching targets which will make a real difference. An Post’s halving of carbon emission by 2025 makes it a champion of real sustainable delivery in the commercial sector.  The company openly shares their Sustainability targets and the progress being made against them as part of their action plan.

We are acutely aware of the impacts and urgency of climate change.  The climate crisis requires bravery and a pioneering spirit which is why An Post’s net zero emission target was brought forward to 2030.  Despite Covid-19 An Post is on track to halve their carbon emissions by 2025 against a baseline that has been measured and independently verified and is making real progress.  An Post’s work will help Government as well as Irish public and private sector organisations’ drive for sustainability.”

David McRedmond, CEO, An Post said, “The response of An Post’s staff to the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated, better than any report or statistic, a deep commitment to sustainable living: to look after our most vulnerable, to stand with the elderly, to unite communities in solidarity with the State, and to deliver an essential infrastructure to every home, community, town and city in our country.

“Our sustainability strategy is visible every day. The big commitment to replace the biggest fleet in the country with electric vehicles can be seen on the streets of Ireland’s cities and towns.  We have much more to do to realise our vision of an Island where sustainable living can be commonplace. We have work to do on building a circular economy, working with suppliers to ensure less waste and energy usage as online shopping grows exponentially. Green Hub is a great example of combining our commercial role, in this case selling financial services, with a commitment to sustainability by helping our customers retrofit their homes.

“My own commitment to Decent Work has been forged by the great employees in An Post and by their Unions. The right to a decent job with good terms and conditions is fundamental to a sustainable society.

 An Post will continue to fight against the excesses of the gig economy, and in contrast promote the dignity and respect of the postal profession, both for the sake of employees and customers.  We will adapt to a new changing world with hybrid work policies, using the best technology, and driving efficiency in all we do. But above all to be human. That, to us, is sustainability”, he added.

In 2020 An Post was re-appointed as one of 12 SDG Champions within Ireland’s SDG Champions Programme, established by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and will share learnings and work with Government and public and private sector organisations in leading Ireland’s drive for sustainability.

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