The Calgary Journal reports that “Canada Post set a goal in 2009 to cut its carbon dioxide emissions 20 per cent by 2020. Instead, the agency doubled its emissions.”
The April 16, 2021 article “Report reveals Canada Post’s CO2 emissions doubled despite promise to reduce pollution,” states that the crown corporation’s GHG reduction targets are consistently overshot and that from 2009 to 2019, GHG emissions more than doubled. Major reasons for the increase? More demand for faster and more frequent deliveries, and more deliveries by air.
Canada Post is working to reduce transport emissions through increased use of hybrid vehicles, according to their 2019 Sustainability Report.
“As a major delivery company operating one of Canada’s largest last-mile delivery fleets, Canada Post has an important role to play in addressing climate change and is committed to a low-carbon future.” – Canada Post 2019 Sustainability Report, page 19.
UTTRI associated faculty Professor Matthew Roorda is Canada Research Chair in Freight Transportation and Logistics and Chair of the Smart Freight Centre. He explains that the increasing number of deliveries works against reducing GHG emissions from goods delivery:
“Even if companies can find more efficient ways to transport goods, they’re usually fighting against the volume of goods being delivered.” – Professor Matthew Roorda, University of Toronto.
UTTRI associated faculty Professor John Robinson, University of Toronto Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability, says that “rapid, disruptive change” is needed to redue GHG emissions worldwide. He would like to see more use of alternative fuels to reduce transportation emissions.
Robinson said a longer term goal would be “decarbonizing transport,” which means moving goods without fossil fuels.
Read the full article “Report reveals Canada Post’s CO2 emissions doubled despite promise to reduce pollution,” Calgary Journal, April 16, 2021.
Read the full Canada Post 2019 Sustainability Report.