UPS (NYSE:UPS) has expanded its carbon neutral shipping program to 35 countries and territories across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
More UPS customers now have the option of paying a small fee to calculate and offset the carbon emissions associated with their shipments.
UPS became the first small package carrier in the United States to unveil such a product when the carbon neutral program was introduced in the U.S. last fall.
The new offerings, including a contract version for customers who want to offset the carbon impact of all their shipments, will be available starting July 12.
In addition to the international expansion, UPS is expanding access to the program in the United States, making it available to all shippers at UPS.com and those who use UPS CampusShip. Online retailers who have integrated UPS into their websites will be able to offer their customers access to UPS carbon neutral.
Customers who visit The UPS Store locations and other retail locations soon will have access to the option as well.
In the United States, the small fee ranges from $0.05 for a ground package and $0.20 for an air package to $0.75 for an international package. Outside the United States, the small flat fee will vary slightly by country depending on the type of service selected and the origin and destination of the shipment.
As a part of the initial launch, UPS purchased offsets from the Garcia River Forest Climate Action Project, overseen by The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund. In the future, UPS will seek to extend its offset purchases to other regions worldwide.
"Our customers wanted a convenient, cost-effective means to address climate change in a real and tangible way," said Bob Stoffel, the senior vice president responsible for UPS’s sustainability program.
In 2010, UPS said it will match offset purchases up to $1 million.
The calculation to measure the carbon (CO2) impact of the customers’ shipments is based on current and historical operational data, including distance and transport mode and a comprehensive carbon inventory.
UPS’s proprietary calculation methodology and processes are verified by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). In addition, the carbon offset process also is certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. The calculator is based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely used international standard for carbon accounting and reporting.
The 35 countries and territories now joining the United States with access to the offering include: Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, China and Macau.
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