Canada Post has allocated C$1 billion to reduce emissions and transition its fleet to non-emitting transportation.
With a retail network of nearly 6,000 post offices and almost 14,000 vehicles, Canada Post acknowledges that it has a significant footprint. The firm aims to transition 50% of its fleet to electric by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
“We have a responsibility to Canadians, and to their children and grandchildren, to help lead the way to a more sustainable future,” said Doug Ettinger, president and CEO. “Canada Post has one of the biggest fleets in the country, over 68,000 employees, a significant real estate portfolio, and an extensive supply chain. The challenge ahead is great, and we know the greening of our transportation is critical. That’s why we’ve committed to net-zero operations and a fully electric fleet by 2040. I’d like to thank our bargaining agents for their continued engagement and collaboration on this important step forward for the company.”
In addition, Canada Post has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 over its 2019 level. The 2030 target will set the postal company on the path to net zero emissions by 2050.
“Our climate commitments address Canada Post’s national operations from all angles. We’ll transform our fleet to electric, retrofit our buildings, build net-zero carbon buildings, and source renewable energy for our real estate and operations,” said Cheryl Hodder, Chief Sustainability and Legal Officer. “We’ll collaborate with our suppliers, customers, partners and bargaining agents to meet our science-based target, while encouraging others to reduce emissions and take action. These are important measures for all Canadians, and we will continue to keep them updated on our progress.”
The firm is testing alternative vehicles, with the launch of a low-speed vehicle on a postal route for neighborhoods to the west of Ottawa. The EV is compact and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 40 km per hour. It will be used for delivery and collection for a year to evaluate performance.
