Research, Reports & Publications

UPS Sustainability Report Hits "A+" Mark For Transparency

Jul 31, 2012 1:00 PM ET

(3BL Media) Atlanta, GA - July 31, 2012 - UPS (NYSE:UPS) today published its latest annual Sustainability Report, becoming one of only 10 U.S. corporations registered to date this year with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to have achieved A+ status for superior transparency.

The new report summarizing UPS’s 2011 sustainability efforts received the A+ designation after meeting GRI’s reporting standards and then receiving assurance review by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

“One of the guiding principles to UPS’s sustainability strategy is our commitment to transparency,” Chairman and CEO Scott Davis wrote in the report. “We are disclosing more information than ever… We have reported our five-year progress, successes and challenges. Now, we are focused ahead.”

UPS views sustainability reporting as a valuable tool for customers, investors and other stakeholders to evaluate the performance and commitment of a company to truly sustainable business practices.

The report discloses UPS exceeded four of the seven key sustainability goals it established for 2011. The company met its goals for employee safety, auto accident frequency, aircraft emissions and full-time employee retention. The report discloses progress on goals involving efficiency of jet fuel use, employee satisfaction and charitable contributions.

Chief Sustainability Officer Scott Wicker also cited these achievements:

  • Using advanced route-planning technology, UPS avoided driving 85 million miles, saving 8.4 million gallons of fuel and 83,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
  • The expanding deployment of telematics technology eliminated more than 98 million minutes of engine idling time, saving 653,000 gallons of fuel.
  • UPS achieved a net reduction in U.S. domestic energy use at its facilities.
  • UPS earned the highest Carbon Disclosure Project score among all U.S. companies and tied with three others for the top score in the world.
  • In 2011, overall emissions declined 3.5% even though package volume grew by 1.8%.  
  • Employees made 100,000 pledges to act more environmentally responsible

For the first time, UPS also introduced a “materiality matrix” that maps how the company’s interests match or differ from those of other stakeholders. The matrix will be used to guide the company as it sets future sustainability priorities, Wicker added.

Also for the first time, the report provides examples of the company’s direct and indirect economic impact. Data include:

  • Employee compensation and benefits - $27.6 billion.
  • Taxes paid - $3.1 billion.
  • Dividends paid- $2 billion.
  • Education provided to employees -$17.5 million in tuition support to 14,764 students.
  • Employment of 398,242 permanent employees, including 77,706 outside the United States.
  • $78 million paid to small and diverse suppliers.

“Our annual sustainability report encapsulates the performance, ambitions and goals of UPS from economic, social and environmental perspectives,” explained Wicker. This year, the report also includes essays, infographics and opinion pieces on the company’s stance regarding biofuels, the future of fuels and energy, greenhouse gas management, how UPS trains its future leaders and how The UPS Foundation is meeting community needs. 

To access the new report, go to www.ups.com/sustainability.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.  The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

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Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results, involve certain risks and uncertainties.  Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, our competitive environment, increased security requirements, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, changes in energy prices, governmental regulations and other risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.