It is estimated that the transport industry generates 18 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. For this reason, TNT Express has introduced the “Planet Me” program, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions, among other things, by replacing diesel-powered trucks with electric vehicles.
A significant part of TNT’s “green fleet” consists of 7.5-tonne battery-powered Newton trucks. The cars are environmentally friendly – they do not emit carbon dioxide. TNT is gradually replacing diesel vehicles with them in the UK – the process is scheduled to be completed in 15 months. According to TNT data, this will prevent the emission of 1,299,000 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere. In Turkey, the company has added a Honda model with a hybrid engine to its fleet, while in Italy, it has introduced hybrid Iveco trucks. In Australia, hybrid vehicles have been introduced which, compared to diesel trucks, emit less CO2 (by 14 percent) and nitrous oxide (by 50 percent) into the atmosphere. In other countries, including the Netherlands, India, and Germany, the company is testing vehicles powered by biofuels, biogas, and hydrogen. TNT is currently preparing pilot programs in other countries.
– Today, TNT’s operational cars in Poland meet at least the Euro3 standard, and a large percentage meet Euro4: this means lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions of harmful compounds – says Urszula Klimczak, Business Excellence Manager, TNT Express Poland. – We were able to achieve this state of our operational fleet by setting environmental protection goals for ourselves and our subcontractors in 2007 and 2008; environmental goals in subsequent years will concern the use and promotion of new environmentally friendly technologies in Poland. In the meantime, we are focusing on other pro-ecological initiatives – including redesigning our operational processes to minimize paper consumption. In 2007 alone, we reduced photocopy paper consumption by over 30 percent per full-time employee (the 2007 plan assumed only 10 percent). It takes 14 trees to produce a ton of paper. That is why at TNT, if we do print documents, we do it double-sided, and we use partially printed paper for notes, for example. Every used sheet goes to waste paper, and the money obtained is donated to the Gaja Foundation to save horses.
TNT’s goal is to promote pro-environmental attitudes on a wider scale than just the company’s operations. With this in mind, the “Planet Me” program was created, which defines TNT’s strategy not only in operational areas (including air and road transport, warehouse infrastructure, business travel) – the company encourages its employees and their families to engage in pro-ecological behavior at work and beyond.
“Planet Me” includes very concrete actions. For example, unconventional energy sources are increasingly being used in new TNT buildings. TNT offices around the world are equipped with video conferencing kits, which reduces air travel. Individual departments of the company take their own initiatives – for example, the most effective sales teams contribute to reforestation in Kenya. Thanks to TNT, 2,160 trees were planted in 2007, covering an area equivalent to 2 football pitches. The Polish branch of TNT is among the most active participants in the project.
TNT’s efforts have already been recognized by experts, who awarded the company first place in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) – a global ranking of management efficiency covering the world’s leading corporations based on a sustainable development model. The company received high marks in all categories, including environmental management.