FedEx: Making a Positive Impact on Asia-Pacific Communities
FedEx is undoubtedly recognised as one of the world's largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories.
As a highly influential organisation whose activities impact countless communities, FedEx has continued to expand its sustainability efforts across the globe.
This includes in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, where the industry leader is incorporating strategies that reduce emissions and increasing its support of environment-based community action.
Vehicle electrification key to FedEx sustainability efforts
In pursuit of company-wide global sustainability goals, FedEx is working across its operations to reduce emissions and improve the energy efficiency of its fleet and facilities.
Vehicle electrification is a key pillar of these efforts, including a phased approach to transitioning its global pick-up and delivery fleet to electric vehicles (EVs).
Throughout fiscal year 2023, FedEx and its employees utilised more than 7,000 on- and off-road EVs globally, with additions to the Asia-Pacific EV fleet made in Malaysia and also in China, where EVs grew to represent 20% of the country’s fleet of pick-up and delivery vehicles in fiscal year 2024.
What’s more, in February, the company successfully executed the first-ever cross-border EV delivery, from Malaysia to Singapore. In Taiwan, electric vehicles have been added to the FedEx surface fleet, showcasing its commitment to finding vehicle solutions that are best suited to each local operating environment.
“We have a responsibility to take bold action to address the environmental challenges our region is facing,” comments Kawal Preet, Regional President, Asia-Pacific at FedEx.
“Across our business here in Asia-Pacific, we’re seeking out projects and opportunities to ensure our planet can continue supporting global economic growth and prosperity.”
Promoting a sustainable culture
FedEx’s dedication to running a more sustainable operation stretches far beyond vehicle electrification.
During FY 2023, around 35 global facilities generated on- or off-site solar energy, including the surface operations station in Beijing where a rooftop solar array is estimated to reduce 350 tons of CO2 emissions from conventional, coal-fired thermal power each year.
Newer facilities such as the regional headquarters in Singapore integrate energy-efficiency certifications for lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The company’s China headquarters in Shanghai, which opened in January 2024, is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified.
Elsewhere, initiatives are in place to promote a more sustainable working culture. More than 10,000 team members in China are participating in a GoGreen programme aimed at reducing consumption of electricity, water, paper and fuel in day-to-day operations, while similar activities are taking place across other markets in the region.
Teams are getting creative when it comes to upcycling, too. Old uniforms are being turned into waist bags for couriers and old wooden skids are being used to make cat litter.
Sustainability in the community
Sustainable logistics is an important pillar of the FedEx Cares programme, a global community engagement scheme created to help make the world a better place through in-kind shipping, employee volunteering and charitable giving.
The company collaborates with a host of non-profit organisations that provide innovative solutions to climate challenges and protect the environmental health of communities where team members live and work.
Overall, FedEx increased its financial support of volunteer-based sustainable community projects across 11 Asia-Pacific markets by 30% year-on-year during the most recent fiscal year up to May 31. Across the region, FedEx team members have volunteered their time to clean beaches and riversides and planted 3,400 trees to restore and protect the environment.
Clearly, building a sustainable future also requires a talent pipeline of individuals who are eager to contribute.
FedEx is helping to instil an entrepreneurial spirit in young people through its International Trade Challenge, run in collaboration with Junior Achievement. This annual event has helped more than 5,000 students based in 10 APAC markets to gain a better understanding of global trade, product distribution, competition and sales.
Kawal adds: “This year, we have raised the bar and increased our contributions towards programmes that drive sustainable logistics and foster a green culture among our employees and in the community.”
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