FedEx has announced a goal to achieve global carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To help reach this goal, FedEx is designating more than US$2 billion of initial investment in vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, and carbon sequestration. Included in the US$2 billion is a pledge of US$100 million to Yale University to help establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, accelerating research into methods of carbon sequestration at scale, with an initial focus on helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to current airline emissions. “We have a responsibility to take bold action in addressing climate challenges,” said Frederick W. Smith, chair and CEO of FedEx. “This goal builds on our longstanding commitment to sustainability throughout our operations, while at the same time investing in long-term, transformational solutions for FedEx and our entire industry.”
FedEx detailed the following actions to achieve its 2040 goal:
Vehicle Electrification
By 2040, FedEx aims to make its entire parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet zero-emission. It plans to phase in electric vehicles to replace existing vehicles. For example, by 2025, 50% of FedEx Express global PUD vehicle purchases will be electric, raising to 100% of all purchases by 2030.
Sustainable Customer Solutions
FedEx will work with customers to offer end-to-end sustainability for their supply chains through carbon-neutral shipping offerings and sustainable packaging solutions.
Sustainable Fuels
FedEx will continue to invest in alternative fuels to reduce aircraft and vehicle emissions.
Fuel Conservation And Aircraft Modernization
FedEx will build on its successful FedEx Fuel Sense initiatives designed to reduce fuel consumption in its aircraft. Since 2012, the FedEx Fuel Sense and Aircraft Modernization programs have saved a combined 1.43 billion gallons of jet fuel and avoided over 13.5 million metric tons (12.25 million tonnes) of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Facilities
FedEx will continue efforts to make its more than 5000 facilities worldwide more sustainable through continued investments in efficient facilities, renewable energy, and other energy management programs.
Natural Carbon Sequestration
FedEx funding will help establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture to support applied research into natural carbon sequestration solutions. The Center will catalyze interdisciplinary research across the natural sciences and engineering in an effort to accelerate this work. Center researchers will develop methods that build on natural carbon storage systems, including biological ecosystems and the geological carbon cycle, improving, where possible, how quickly carbon can be absorbed, how much can be contained, and how long it can be stored. Through these efforts, Yale scientists aim to create a portfolio of carbon removal strategies that have impacts on a global scale.
Building upon initial successes in the aviation sector, the center will broaden its scope to address additional global sources of emissions — publishing and sharing its findings so businesses, industries, and governments can benefit from work that will accelerate the adoption and implementation of natural carbon capture strategies around the world. “Addressing climate change is a complex challenge that demands urgent action, and natural carbon capture strategies will be one key part of that action,” said Dr. Ingrid C. Burke, the Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Dean of the Yale School of the Environment. “Through the creation of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, we aim to develop measurable carbon capture strategies to help offset carbon emissions globally.”
