British postal service Royal Mail has announced a partnership with sustainability solutions provider Watershed to measure and reduce its carbon emissions, aligning with its ambitious goal of achieving net zero by 2040. This collaboration sets a precedent for emissions management in the logistics sector, as Watershed will provide high-resolution emissions data critical for fulfilling the disclosure requirements of customers, regulators, and investors.
With supply chain emissions accounting for 66% of Royal Mail’s overall environmental impact, this data-driven approach aims to enhance engagement with suppliers, identify crucial emissions reduction actions, and facilitate decarbonisation efforts across the entire supply chain. Watershed has already developed a preliminary carbon footprint analysis covering over 3,000 suppliers, utilizing public reports to automatically share 10% of Royal Mail’s supplier data, enabling actionable insights into sustainability progress.
Royal Mail’s commitment to sustainability is evidenced by several initiatives, including plans for 100% zero-emissions final-mile delivery by 2035, a 25% waste reduction target by 2030, and comprehensive training for more than 15,000 employees in electric vehicle (EV) driving. Moreover, the organisation reports 98% of waste being recycled, diverted, or reused from landfills, and it utilizes 10 million litres of biofuel for its heavier truck fleets. With the largest fleet of electric delivery vans in the UK—over 5,000—and a pledge to purchase 100% renewable energy, Royal Mail’s ‘Steps to Zero’ strategy focuses on resource efficiency and circular economy principles.
The partnership with Watershed is expected to significantly impact the low-carbon logistics landscape by embedding supplier engagement into emissions reduction strategies. By creating benchmarks for emissions transparency and providing real-time tracking capabilities, this initiative will serve as a model for industry peers. Miles Durrant, Head of Climate Strategy & Circular at Royal Mail, highlights the importance of this collaboration, stating that Watershed enables Royal Mail to plan more effective emissions reductions as they strive toward their net zero goal.
Source: https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/royal-mail-watersheds-plan-to-cut-supply-chain-emissions