Making real progress in sustainability demands a keen sense of the issues, trends and topics.
Sustainability Insights and Updates | April 2020
We Got You
By Suzanne Lindsay-Walker
UPS Chief Sustainability Officer
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives, our supply chains, and our businesses unlike anything we've ever seen. Every day, I'm in awe of the people on the front lines – the healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and delivery drivers – who remind us who the world's real heroes are.
Not only are our drivers transporting critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and life-saving medicines, UPS is also providing logistics and humanitarian aid where it's needed most. We've tapped into our global network to collaborate on drive-up testing sites, provide supply chain services for life-saving healthcare materials, and mobilize more than $6 million in response aid.
While we're navigating these uncertain and somewhat scary times, it's also been inspiring to see the outpouring of gratitude for essential employees on the front-line – from rounds of applause as nurses and doctors change shifts, to customer encouragement for UPS drivers.
This month also marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and I would be remiss to not acknowledge and honor the milestone that launched the modern environmental movement. Below, Dan Lambe of the Arbor Day Foundation discusses our partnership on reforestation efforts in urban areas. Earth Day Network, a long-time grantee of The UPS Foundation, has shared a few relevant topics, including 11 Actions for the Planet During a PandemicandHow to Get Out Safely in Nature While Social Distancing.
A mindset of resiliency underpins everything we do at UPS, from helping communities respond to a global pandemic, to creating more sustainable practices that strengthen our business for a changing world. Throughout our history, UPS has met challenges through innovation and collaboration. We will continue to partner with stakeholders to ensure we come back stronger from this crisis.
PERSPECTIVE
Planting a better tomorrow
By Dan Lambe
President, Arbor Day Foundation
As we rush to address the urgent, overwhelming global coronavirus pandemic, it's easy to overlook the long-term support systems that maintain our health and wellness.
For those sequestered in city apartments, with no access to parks, green spaces or even trees, the sense of loss is very tangible right now. Of course, that feeling pales in comparison to those dealing with the loss of a loved one or friend due to the unforgiving coronavirus — but it's a sentiment we must also confront for society at large.
In the weeks and months before the pandemic, we heard a growing chorus of voices on the enormous value of trees and forests. There is an increasing power and momentum around the concept that tree planting is the simplest, most effective and economical solution to some of our world's most pressing environmental problems.
As we honor Earth Day and Arbor Day, we know trees play an essential role in solutions to challenges such as air and water quality, mental health in urban settings and global wellness.
You can see the full-length version of this story here.
Featured Stories We chose a few favorites from our Longitudes blog for you
Anne Maassen, Global Lead, WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities In some cities, well-meaning policies and investments in transit and housing have actually deepened the inequality and segregation experienced by low-income communities. How does climate change fit into this picture?… Read more
Wes Wheeler, President, UPS Healthcare
Rob Feeney, Founder and CEO, Medvantx
The coronavirus pandemic is changing daily life as we know it. Society at large is grappling with how we live and work during a time when the only certainty is more uncertainty. Two healthcare logistics experts join Longitudes Radio to discuss the supply chain ramifications of coronavirus and other crises… Listen here
Giulio Berruti, Associate Director, BSR
Thibault Gravier, Director, BSR
From youth activists marching in the streets to economic leaders in Davos, the world is calling for business to combat the climate crisis. Indeed, business plays a vital role in the effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement targets… Read more
Mike Edmonds, Managing Director and VP of Product, Pactera
The National Retail Federation's annual Big Show event is more than a giant retail conference – it's an important reading of global business priorities. At the 2020 Big Show, one theme stood out: sustainability… Read more
News Here are a few highlights to keep you up-to-date
UPS announced an investment in Arrival, UK-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, including a commitment to purchase 10,000 electric vehicles purpose-built for UPS… Read more
UPS is working with global companies, state health agencies, and government agencies with supply chain and shipping services for respirators, test kits, and PPE across the U.S.… Read more
UPS support surpasses $6 million in grants, logistics and transportation, and collaboration with more than a dozen relief agencies deploying novel Coronavirus initiatives… Read more
UPS announced multi-year renewable natural gas (RNG) agreements that will supply the company with up to 80 million gallon equivalents of RNG… Read more
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.
"Our horizon is as distant as our mind's eye wishes it to be."
~ Jim Casey, UPS Founder and CEO, 1954
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