DPD

DPD says it will be able to offer customers carbon neutral shipping from July.

The parcel carrier's Total Zero commitment will mean customers can send packages of all weights, sizes and types that are carbon neutral at no extra cost.

The business, which has already made a series of changes to reduce its carbon emissions, will also benefit from parent company Geopost's partnership with carbon market company CDC Climat.

Geopost will spend €5m per year on carbon offsetting projects in Europe and the developing world to offset group emissions

Dwain McDonald, DPD chief executive, says: "By its very nature, parcel delivery is a highly carbon-intensive industry.

"At DPD we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and we are committed to reducing the impact our operations have on the planet. Carbon-neutral parcel shipping will help us meet this goal.

DPD carbon reduction initiatives to date:

•    only sending parcels by road within Europe.

•    regular route optimisation exercises and eco-driver training for drivers.

•    the launch of one-hour delivery window service, Predict, which has boosted first-time delivery success rates by 10% and reduced fleet mileage.

•    the use of double-deck trailers to reduce number of trips.

•    sensor-activated lighting to reduce energy consumption in buildings.