PERSPECTIVE
Envisioning the Future
By Nate Springer BSR's Future of Fuels and Sustainable Logistics
Fleets need tomorrow's solutions today. More and more, the clean transport technology featured in trade shows and news headlines feels like science fiction: electric semis, drones, wireless charging, trucks and ships that drive themselves. We're still waiting to see whether these solutions will drive both business growth and social prosperity.
It is an uncertain time, as most transitional periods are, and the clean transport transition is no exception. I work for BSR, a global nonprofit organization that works with its network of more than 250 member companies – including UPS – to build a just and sustainable world. In my role leading Future of Fuels for road fleets and managing Clean Cargo for shipping, I advise fleets, shippers, OEM's, and fuel / electricity providers on working through these challenges and finding opportunities to develop solutions collaboratively.
Fifteen years before the European Union and International Maritime Organization proposed systems to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions from ocean shipping, we developed a voluntary reporting methodology in use by 85 percent of container shipping and many buyers. We know that fleet owners and shippers must understand new electric, renewable diesel, natural gas, and hydrogen trucking technologies on a performance basis, and so we launched a public library to share pilot results more widely. While these efforts demonstrate how cleantech can reduce impact, I am most excited that they cut proving times and costs by disseminating results and increasing value for business to ensure a smoother transition.
Many of tomorrow's solutions are here today even if we don't know which ones will prove to be the most effective solutions for the long-term. For many large fleet owners, the opportunity to reduce emissions and generate lifecycle cost of ownership efficiencies are vast. The UPS "rolling laboratory" approach is a best practice for the rapid testing needed to scale innovation that other fleets can learn from. The company has deployed a wide range of alternative fuel vehicles, from Renewable Diesel, to electric, hybrid electric, CNG/LNG, and even what it calls "Cycle Solutions," using electric-assist pedal-powered bicycles and other small vehicles designed for dense urban duty cycles.
While we don't know exactly what the future of sustainable transport holds, we are building the partnerships and helping others to envision the infrastructure needed to get there.
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Featured Stories
We chose a few favorites from our Longitudes blog for you
In this future-focused story, you’ll get a glimpse of the car you’ll be driving, and the planes and ships already in motion… Read more
If we want to survive and thrive, we need a radical shift in consciousness. Here's how we can create that… Read more
Quantifying the true cost of damage and impact can lead to truly sustainable outcomes… Read more
Many companies self-report on sustainability claims, but blockchain reverses this process by enabling the participation of all stakeholders in a more sustainable economy… Read more
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News
Here are a few highlights to keep you up-to-date
With a driving range of approximately 100 miles powered by a Thor-designed and built battery, the new truck will be lightweight, durable and allow long-range driving distances… Read more
The UPS Foundation has announced it will award over $10 million in grants to help support programs focused on economic empowerment, education/scholarships, work training, and social and gender equality… Read more
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Trends
Innovations and Collaborations
How can the movement of goods in cities become more sustainable? Explore the findings from our research with GreenBiz in our white paper entitled, The Road to Sustainable Urban Logistics.
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EVENTS
Here's Where You'll Find Us
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Learn what's driving fleet electrification in this webcast moderated by Katie Fehrenbacher, Senior Writer & Analyst, Transportation, GreenBiz, along with Scott Phillipi, UPS Sr. Director of Automotive Maintenance and Engineering, – International Operations, Nate Springer, BSR, and Mike Roeth, NACFE Executive Director. Learn more
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Join Tamara Barker, UPS Chief Sustainability Officer, and Scott Phillippi, UPS Sr. Director of Automotive Maintenance and Engineering – International Operations, as we unveil new research findings on fleet electrification and what we'll find on the road ahead. Learn more
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In Case You Missed It
Get an insider's view into our sustainability goals and achievements, and see what inspires us to move forward. |
This publication was created to bring you sustainability insights and stories that we hope will inspire you. A new issue will be provided every few months. We welcome your comments and ideas. Drop us a line: sustainability@ups.com.
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