Transport and fuel use 

Our most significant environmental impacts relate to our extensive vehicle fleet, for which total emissions amounted to 425,707 tonnes of CO2 in the last financial year.

Over the last 12 months, the review of our multi modal transport operations has resulted in a much smaller environmental footprint for our medium to long distance operations. Daily CO2 emissions from our trunking operations have been reduced by 19% as a result of a much restructured network with less road miles, more use of air and no rail.

For more information on the proposed changes to our transport fleet, please see our latest transport news release.

We continue to promote and adopt industry best practice in order to improve the environmental performance of our fleet. Initiatives include: driver training, lobbying for alternative fuels infrastructure and setting environmental standards for vehicle specifications. We are also including noise reduction measures for equipment like roller shutter doors.

Alternative fuel vehicle initiatives 

The use of alternative fuelled vehicles - gas and electric - is now ingrained into our transport strategy and we are increasing the numbers of these vehicles to replace diesel vehicles when the opportunity permits. These vehicles predominantly operate in inner-city areas, and have been introduced to counteract local air pollution issues.

We will continue to research, with partners where appropriate, the application of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) and new engine technology, both to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuels and to exploit increasingly viable alternatives wherever possible. This will include trialling alternative fuels such as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electricity and hydrogen.

However, diesel vehicles continue to play a key role in our operation. We operate the bulk of our vehicle fleet on Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) and exhaust gas after treatment systems are being evaluated. The increasingly tough "Euro" emission standards for exhaust emissions have closed the gap rapidly between diesel and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) emissions.

Cycle power
Bicycles form a large part of the Royal Mail fleet, with more than 36,500 used in our operation.

Once they are out of commission, we make sure every one is recycled for our bicycle recycle project.

Working with charities Re-Cycle and Afribike, we donated 1,800 refurbished bikes in 2003 - 04 to people living in remote communities in South Africa.

The bikes allow children and adults to get to work and school and collect shopping from local markets more quickly and cheaply.

Minister of Trade, Richard Caborn went to Johannesburg to hand over the 2000th bicycle at the end of 2000. He said: "This is an excellent example of what we are keen to encourage companies to do, to put the important concepts of corporate social responsibility and environmental awareness into practice in tangible, worthwhile efforts."

Postbuses
Postbuses are a unique post and passenger service and offer a vital lifeline for people living in remote, rural areas.

In some places, the Postbus service is the only form of public transport available and plays an important role in fulfilling our countrywide commitment to serving the whole community.

More of our vehicles are being adapted for use by people with disabilities. Some can take wheelchairs and we will continue to review and modify vehicles to provide easier access for all our customers.

A busy Postbus can carry up to 5,000 passengers a year and travel as many as 50,000 miles.