At UPS, addressing climate change is important. UPS's carbon neutral option supports projects that offset the emissions of the shipment's transport. UPS has supported projects that include reforestation, landfill gas destruction, wastewater treatment, and methane destruction.
For UPS carbon neutral, we've partnered with world-renowned third-party verification and certification organizations to help validate the effectiveness of this service. The involvement of these organizations acts as a mark of quality and credibility for our carbon neutral shipping options.
Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS)
Our carbon neutral shipping is verified by SGS, an inspection, testing and verification company. This means that you can have confidence in UPS carbon neutral to mitigate the climate impact of your shipment. SGS's verification programmes respect worldwide standards.
Natural Capital Partners
Additionally, the UPS carbon neutral process is certified by Natural Capital Partners. This certification is given to organizations whose CO2 emissions have been measured and reduced to net zero in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol.
Visit Natural Capital Partners
Our Methods
UPS has developed a proprietary process, aligned with our United States service offering, which calculates the emissions generated by our operations. Outside of the U.S., the methodology we use is based on weight and distance, and GHG Protocol emissions factors. These methodologies--verified by SGS and certified by Natural Capital Partners--include UPS small package, ground freight, air and ocean forwarding. They address the following emissions sources:
Scope 1: Direct emissions from combustion of fuel in UPS-operated ground vehicle fleet; combustion of fuel in UPS operated aircraft, stationary sources associated with UPS-controlled facilities globally
Scope 2: Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity in UPS-controlled facilities globally
Scope 3: Combustion of fuel in ocean, air, rail, and ground transportation, operated by third parties in providing delivery services to UPS
Our methodology allows us to offer a carbon neutral option. We calculate the carbon impact of all shipments sent using UPS carbon neutral, based on our own UPS-specific verified and certified methodology.
Our calculations are based on detailed knowledge of the UPS network and operations--knowledge that only UPS can provide. These steps ensure that our calculation method is accurate:
- Start with an accurate company emissions inventory.
- Consider each mode of transport.
- Include Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, in a manner verified by SGS.
- Use an accurate "true-up" calculation from the same year the shipments occurred.
Learn More About Sustainability Efforts at UPS
UPS Freight Less-than-Truckload (“LTL”) transportation services are offered by TFI International Inc., its affiliates or divisions (including without limitation TForce Freight), which are not affiliated with United Parcel Service, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or related entities (“UPS”). UPS assumes no liability in connection with UPS Freight LTL transportation services or any other services offered or provided by TFI International Inc. or its affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries or related entities.