Target Neutral deal pushes the envelope
BP Target Neutral has signed a major deal with FedEx to offset the carbon footprint of 200 million envelopes shipped each year. As a result, low-carbon development projects globally will benefit from further investment
What do millions of FedEx Envelopes and a forestry project in Africa have in common? The more obvious answer might be paper. But the real answer is carbon dioxide (CO2).
In a ground-breaking deal signed between BP Target Neutral and FedEx®—the world’s largest global express transportation company—around 200 million envelopes a year will have their carbon footprint from shipping offset through investments that support projects which remove or prevent carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
FedEx will calculate the CO2 released through FedEx Envelope shipments on an annual basis and purchase the equivalent amount of carbon offsets from BP’s not-for-profit Target Neutral programme. The funds from the carbon offset purchases are directed by BP into supporting low-carbon development projects across the world that will neutralize an equivalent amount of CO2 emissions.
One such project is currently establishing commercial forests at Uchindile and Mapanda districts in the Tanzanian Southern Highlands in an area that was classified as degraded grassland. The project reduces CO2 emissions through sequestration or ‘carbon sinks’: a process which removes greenhouse gases (GHG) from the atmosphere. Forest ecosystems are considered natural carbon capture and storage sytems; however, they are under increasing threat.
Planting trees combats the impacts of deforestation—which causes a direct rise in emissions, reduces the planet’s natural ability to remove CO2 through carbon sinks and exacerbates soil erosion and the effects of drought.
In a ground-breaking deal signed between BP Target Neutral and FedEx®—the world’s largest global express transportation company—around 200 million envelopes a year will have their carbon footprint from shipping offset through investments that support projects which remove or prevent carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
FedEx will calculate the CO2 released through FedEx Envelope shipments on an annual basis and purchase the equivalent amount of carbon offsets from BP’s not-for-profit Target Neutral programme. The funds from the carbon offset purchases are directed by BP into supporting low-carbon development projects across the world that will neutralize an equivalent amount of CO2 emissions.
One such project is currently establishing commercial forests at Uchindile and Mapanda districts in the Tanzanian Southern Highlands in an area that was classified as degraded grassland. The project reduces CO2 emissions through sequestration or ‘carbon sinks’: a process which removes greenhouse gases (GHG) from the atmosphere. Forest ecosystems are considered natural carbon capture and storage sytems; however, they are under increasing threat.
Planting trees combats the impacts of deforestation—which causes a direct rise in emissions, reduces the planet’s natural ability to remove CO2 through carbon sinks and exacerbates soil erosion and the effects of drought.
These low-carbon development projects also create additional local environmental, social and economic benefits. They include a biogas farm facility in the Netherlands, landfill gas collection systems in the US and Thailand, a micro-hydro power programme in China and a wind farm in Turkey.
Andrea Abrahams, global director of Target Neutral, believes that a carbon offset initiative must offer more than a sense of ‘doing the right thing’ to its customers.
“We bring a business rigour to everything we do in Target Neutral. The projects that we support are very carefully selected and monitored to ensure that they meet the highest standards in delivering carbon reduction or mitigation and that the costs of offsetting carbon are competitive in the marketplace. The projects also bring other important benefits, like local employment, business development, training and skills enhancements. We are delighted to work with FedEx and offer a solution to their business aims in terms of sustainable transport and delivery services.”
Andrea Abrahams, global director of Target Neutral, believes that a carbon offset initiative must offer more than a sense of ‘doing the right thing’ to its customers.
“We bring a business rigour to everything we do in Target Neutral. The projects that we support are very carefully selected and monitored to ensure that they meet the highest standards in delivering carbon reduction or mitigation and that the costs of offsetting carbon are competitive in the marketplace. The projects also bring other important benefits, like local employment, business development, training and skills enhancements. We are delighted to work with FedEx and offer a solution to their business aims in terms of sustainable transport and delivery services.”
Smart solutions
FedEx is a major customer of BP and as part of its EarthSmart® initiative, the company chose Target Neutral as sole provider of carbon offsets to neutralize the transport emissions associated with the delivery of every FedEx envelope globally. With no cost to the consumer, this is believed to be the first time such an embedded offset offer is included as part of shipment—no matter where in the world the envelope is being shipped to. EarthSmart is the FedEx initiative to provide “smarter solutions for a more sustainable world”.Mitch Jackson, VP of environmental affairs and sustainability, FedEx Corporation, said: “Through EarthSmart, FedEx continues to lead in sustainable shipping. To offset our FedEx Envelopes, we chose BP Target Neutral based on how thoroughly they vet and research their projects, the added oversight of the Independent Assurance and Advisory Panel that monitors Target Neutral and the affordable rate structure.”
Target Neutral is the first ever Official Carbon Offset Partner of a summer Games and has put together a special London 2012 portfolio of projects, which is being used to offset carbon emissions associated with travel to the Games. Spectators have been invited to offset their travel to events free of charge through the website.
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