Correos

One of the main goals pursued by Correos has been and will be the reduction of CO₂ emissions. In this sense, out of the goals for 2020 the following ones can be highlighted:

• Achieving that emissions per item do not increase above 2% with respect to 2013, in spite of the exponential growth of parcel volumes. These mean higher unit emissions that those generated by letter post items.
• Reducing CO₂

The measures adopted to achieve this include, among others, the promotion of a more efficient delivery model through the implementation of new technologies of transport and fuel, the optimization of delivery routes, as well as the #CorreosCompensa Project. 

Efficient Delivery to Reduce Emissions

One of the main Correos environmental footprint lays on transport and delivery of items across the last mile (i.e., the last section of the delivery process at the destination indicated by the customer). This means the emissions to the atmosphere of NOx, particles and CO₂

• Decreasing the number of kilometres walked and the number of shifts at the delivery by incorporating of technologies facilitating the efficient delivery at the first attempt, the extension of Citipaq lockers or routes optimization. 
• Making these kilometres greener, through an efficient driving and the use of vehicles using alternative fuels to petroleum derivatives. Moreover, Correos is the Spanish company walking more kilometres to perform the delivery (zero-emissions items), thanks to more than 12,000 delivery agents who go round more than 12 million of kilometres/year. 
• Electric Mobility. Since 1996, Correos assesses and adds means of transport using alternative fuels to petroleum derivatives and currently has one of the biggest electric fleet in the sector. In 2019, 35 electric and 5 natural gas vans were added. In 2020, 600 motorcycles have been purchased and 216 additional electric vans and cars will be added.

In total, our fleet of eco-efficient vehicles consists of 1,103 vehicles, mainly aimed at delivery at home in urban areas and downtowns, where there are more and more restrictions to circulate with vehicles of traditional combustion from the current local mobility rules. By using these electric vehicles, Correos has avoided the emission of 277 tons of CO₂ to the atmosphere in 2019.

The above-mentioned measure has been reinforced by the purchase of energy with a 100%-renewable origin for the power supply of the delivery units. Eco-efficient vehicles are used for their daily tasks and, thus, help to create areas of reduced emissions areas. For example, the Integral Logistics Center (ILC) in Barcelona is also a zero-emission center, as power with a 100%-renewable origin and biomass are used for their heating and hot water systems. >

Correos also cooperates with a lot of local Administrations in order to achieve that their activity generates the minimum environmental impact and to help to reduce the emissions of the main Spanish cities. 

CO2 Emissions Compensation Programs

#CorreosCompensa new Project, developed in cooperation with the start-up Climate Trade, is an initiative selected by UNFCC-Action Hub, allowing compensating the items which our customer buy and hire at Correos Post Offices and supporting mitigation projects via blockchain technology. 

Through #CorreosCompensa, carbon credits are purchased in the voluntary market of emissions and act on three goals: Reduction of emissions derived from deforestation of tropical forests, promotion of renewable energies and implementation of silvestrian treatments in forests and woods in order to generate biomass energy and to prevent fires. These programs are being carried out in Alcoroches (Guadalajara, Spain), Oaxaca (Mexico), Madre de Dios (Peru), Recreio (Brazil) and Arauco (Chile). We also look for projects which may help to the local development of the community of implementation, as well as a positive impact in environment. 

In 2019, these projects have allowed to compensate 8,250 tons of CO₂