It’s vital that for climate change disruption to happen, businesses including semi-state bodies, must, not only get involved, but take the lead.
An Post is doing just that with 750 zero emission vehicles set to replace the urban fleet by 2022, with 200 to be on the streets this year.
All postal deliveries in Dublin City Centre will be carried out by zero emission vehicles by the end of 2019 with zero emission deliveries to be extended to Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford by 2020.
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD announced the move in February that all An Post deliveries “between the canals” (Royal and Grand canals) will be zero emission by the end of this year as part of the company’s “Post Eco” plan to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.
Sustainability has to be the guiding principle for the business
A number of trials will include public charging points for electric vehicles outside post offices as well as installing solar panels on its buildings and sharing the financial benefits with local community-based environmental initiatives.
Eco-Driving training will be provided to all drivers to ensure best practice driving in all vehicles and for all road and weather conditions.
The initiatives being introduced this year should save 1,000 tonnes of carbon annually.
“As An Post moves from the old world of mail to the new world of ecommerce, sustainability has to be the guiding principle for the business. An Post is transforming for generations to come: as a major employer with a huge fleet footprint, this demands responsible climate action with this commitment to carbon-free delivery,” An Post chief executive, David McRedmond said.
Two charging points have already been installed at government buildings with further points to be rolled out in the near future. These measures mean that An Post electric delivery vans can charge up at Leinster House.