FedEx Corp. announced plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its FedEx Express aircraft fleet by 20% by 2020. It says it will also improve fuel efficiency of its FedEx Express vehicle fleet by 20%.
The new goals were outlined in the FedEx 2008 Global Citizenship Report. In making the announcement, FedEx noted since 2005, it has reduced aircraft carbon dioxide emissions by 3.7% per available ton mile and improved FedEx Express vehicle fuel efficiency by 13.7%, reducing vehicle carbon emissions by almost one billion pounds.
“FedEx recognizes that one of the most responsible steps we and the industrial sector can take for our businesses, society and the environment is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our role is to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways. The world faces big challenges, and we believe that collective, sustained efforts can create greater possibilities for people, businesses and nations worldwide.”
FedEx outlined some recent investments it has made in reaching its goals of better fuel efficiency including:
- FedEx claims the largest fleet of commercial hybrid electric trucks in North America and the transportation industry—more than 170 vehicles. The fleet recently passed two million miles of revenue service.
FedEx notes its E700 hybrid electric trucks improve fuel economy by 42%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 25% and cut particulate pollution by 96% compared with conventional vehicles. - FedEx Express has worked to optimize its delivery routes to ensure that the most efficiently sized vehicle is used on each route. As a result of these efforts, more than one-fourth of the FedEx Express fleet has been converted to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, saving more than 45 million gallons of fuel in the past three years.
- FedEx has begun upgrading its aircraft fleet by replacing narrow-body Boeing 727 aircraft with Boeing 757 planes that lessen the environmental impact—reducing fuel consumption up to 36% while providing 20% more payload capacity.
The company will also acquire Boeing 777 aircraft that provide greater payload capacity and use 18% less fuel on average than the MD-11 aircraft currently in operation. These aircraft replacements will also significantly reduce carbon emissions. - FedEx Express employees are increasing jet fuel efficiency and reducing jet fuel emissions during operations with more than 30 initiatives that range from improvements in flight planning to aircraft operation efficiencies.
FedEx is also reducing the amount of fuel it uses when a plane is at the gate by using ground power instead of aircraft power, saving almost one million gallons of fuel per month. - FedEx Express and FedEx Freight operate three solar-powered facilities in California—in Oakland, Whittier and Fontana—eliminating almost three million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. FedEx Express recently broke ground for its largest solar-powered hub to date. The Cologne, Germany hub installation, which is expected to be completed in 2010, will include a 1.4-megawatt (MW) solar power system and is expected to generate approximately 1.3 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 370 households.
FedEx says these efficiency and emission reduction goals and results were only one component of the FedEx 2008 Global Citizenship Report, which outlines the FedEx commitment to its team members, customers, shareowners and the communities it serves.
In concert with the release of the report, FedEx launched The FedEx Citizenship Blog at blog.fedex.com. According to the company, the blog will feature FedEx executives and team members describing how they carry out FedEx’s 35-year pledge to be a good corporate citizen and allow stakeholders to engage in a dialogue with FedEx on these important issues.
