Clean Energy
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he Sustainabilist, in conversation with Peter Harris, Vice President, International Sustainability at UPS, to talk about their initiatives of increasing delivery efficiency and reducing emissions.
As UPS is the Official Logistics Partner for Expo 2020, what are some of the initiatives and ideas that are planned keeping in mind the key themes of the event ‘Sustainability’ and ‘Mobility’? As the Official Logistics Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, UPS is committed to supporting growing demand across the region to ensure a seamless delivery of the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. UPS is applying its decades of expertise in sustainable logistics to manage and mitigate the environmental impacts of the Expo while supporting its ambition to deliver one of the most sustainable events in history. Expo 2020 Dubai is all about the future, and one in which UPS endeavors to play an important role in advancing a more sustainable delivery network. We have been collaborating with regional leaders and partners since 2017, to minimise the environmental impact of Expo 2020 and deliver a sustainable event. For instance, in October 2019, we collaborated with SAP to test electrically assisted quad cycles for future deployment in the region. These electric quad cycles, for potential use during Expo 2020 Dubai, will enable us to identify more sustainable, productive, and effective operations in logistics, while making it possible to deliver the last mile with zero carbon footprint.
Q&A In order to successfully organise an event of such a large scale and to carry out efficient sustainable logistical operations in general, it is essential that there is a steady public-private sector partnership. Tell us a bit about how UPS is going about that aspect? UPS continues to expand its footprint in ISMEA and globally through private-public partnerships. We are spearheading partnerships with city officials, urban planners, and other partners, such as Expo 2020 Dubai, to address sustainability issues through innovative urban delivery solutions. UPS strives to create a more sustainable company and world by employing disruptive, cutting-edge technologies to build a safer and cleaner fleet for the communities in which we deliver. We are as well proud of our collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and other public and private partners aiming to collectively promote a green transition of the road freight sector. Together, we will work towards addressing sustainability challenges across the Emirates, and help the UAE in achieving its sustainability goals in the transportation sector. The transition to clean energy and technologies is a priority for both UPS and the UAE, and is well aligned with the country’s UAE Green Agenda 2030 and the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050. We are also working on projects in other cities around the world, while collaborating with policymakers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organisations, to shape urban logistics policy. In the UK, we joined a consortium to deploy smart-grid technology, which enables simultaneous recharging of an entire fleet of electric vehicles without the need for the expensive upgrade to the power supply grid. Electric vehicles are an integral component within UPS’s alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. A cost effective deployment of electric vehicles will play a key role in ensuring the global trend toward urbanisation is sustainable.
