DPD UK welcomes approval for GeoPost net-zero target

Leading parcel delivery firm DPD UK has welcomed the news that Geopost has become the first global parcel delivery company to have both its near and long-term CO2 emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The landmark approval scientifically endorses Geopost's plan to reach net-zero by 2040 and sets the company on a clear path to be the international reference in sustainable delivery (see press release).

DPD UK has confirmed that the UK operation is on track to achieve these targets and, where possible exceed them.

SBTi provides companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The SBTi has approved Geopost's near and long-term science-based reduction pathway following a careful and exhaustive review, after the company submitted its targets in July 2022.

In the UK, DPD is focusing on the rapid decarbonisation of its delivery fleet with 3,000 Electric Vehicles already and plans for 4,000 by the end of 2023. By the end of this year, DPD will be delivering final mile to 30 major towns and cities in the UK, only on electric vehicles.

60% of DPD UK's HGV fleet already runs on Gd+ HVO, an advanced hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel. The remaining vehicles will switch by the end of 2023, resulting in a 90% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions across the company's 1,600 HGVs.

In addition, DPD UK is powered by 100% renewable electricity - only buying electricity from renewable sources - and DPD's largest sortation facilities now run fully on solar power during the day.

Elaine Kerr, DPD UK CEO, comments: "We are very proud indeed to be part of the first global parcel delivery group to have its CO2 emissions reduction targets approved by the SBTi. It is a clear endorsement of the wide-scale, science-based approach and the level of investment being made. We fully support the group-wide net-zero initiative and our own programme is key to reaching the overall target. In the UK we have already made giant steps towards a net-zero future and we will continue to work closely with our colleagues across Europe, to share best practice and insights as we progress towards our goals."

Details on all of DPD's sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated green website: https://green.dpd.co.uk/

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For further information please contact: press@dpd.co.uk

Notes to editors

DPD was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2015 in the Innovation category, for its unique one-hour delivery service, Predict.

In 2018, DPD opened the UK's first all-electric parcel delivery depot in Westminster. DPD currently has 3,000 EVs in the UK and has announced plans to deliver to 30 of the largest towns and cities in the UK with zero and low-emission final mile delivery vehicles, by the end of 2023. In July 2021, Oxford became DPD's first all-electric city in the UK. Details of all of DPD's sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated green website: https://green.dpd.co.uk/

DPD is a member of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce. Part of the La Poste Groupe, Geopost generated a ?15.6 billion revenue and delivered 2.1 billion parcels worldwide in 2022.

The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles from 84 locations and delivers over 400 million parcels a year.