The UPU continues its fight against climate change by taking stock of the carbon footprint of its member countries with a new questionnaire.
Last year, the UPU published its first global carbon inventory of the Posts. The questionnaire evaluated emissions generated by the fleets of postal vehicles and the electricity consumed in postal facilities.
Through this first step, the UPU determined that, in 2008, Posts emitted a minimum of 26 million tons of carbon dioxide.
This year, the questionnaire includes a wider range of questions in order to determine a more detailed carbon footprint for Posts.
Along with electricity consumption in the buildings and fleet of vehicles, the new questionnaire will also determine the amount of carbon emitted by air conditioning, heat, travelling, electric vehicles and staff commuting.
The International Bureau has developed tools to help member countries and their designated postal operators to collect the data regarding their carbon emissions. Environment and Sustainable Development Specialist Anne-Claire Blet says she hopes more member countries will fill out the questionnaire and send their emissions data. Last year, 99 countries responded to the questionnaire.
The UPU report on member countries’ carbon footprint will be published at the end of 2010. Member countries will receive their results and be invited to use them to reduce their emissions.