In a significant step forward in UK Greetings’ ongoing commitment to improve its environmental credentials, the major card publisher has become the first UK company to sign up to logistics company Kuehne+Nagel’s Net Zero Carbon Programme.
Since March 2020, UKG has been working in partnership with Kuehne+Nagel UK, to manage its sea freight logistics from Asia. (That said, the publisher has since last year, massively reduced the percentage of its greeting cards that are now produced in Far East, having brought 40% of its everyday card production back to UK shores. https://www.pgbuzz.net/restructured-ukg-brings-manufacturing-home-to-the-uk-for-40-of-everyday-cards/
UKG’s commitment to the Zero Carbon Programme means that not only is the company using a climate-friendly transport solution, but is now offsetting the remaining emissions with CO2 certificates. This means UK Greetings’ logistics process is now climate-neutral (having no net carbon greenhouse gas emissions). This is achieved by minimising carbon emissions as much as possible and using carbon offsets to mitigate the remaining emissions.
This announcement is the latest step in the progress path the publisher has taken over the last few years on the environmental front, despite the intricacies of its supply chain as it now distributes to 20 countries, has production facilities across UK, Europe, USA and Asia and supplies over 8,000 retail stores.
UKG has certainly been a front-runner in the drive to minimise the percentage of single use cellowrapped cards in the industry, something Ceri Stirland, UKG’s channel and customer director championed during her recent reign as president of the GCA. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/68-of-all-greeting-cards-are-expected-to-be-retailed-naked-in-the-uk-by-january-2020/)
In addition, the last two years has seen UKG instigate a Plastic Isn’t Fantastic company-wide initiative, undertaking to reduce avoidable waste and environmental damage across all aspects of its business. As James Conn, ceo of UKG said when this launched (in March 2018): “We all have a responsibility to help safeguard the environment, personally, in business and as an industry as a whole.” (https://www.pgbuzz.net/ukg-takes-a-strong-stance-on-reducing-avoidable-waste/)
James’ words have been echoed and elaborated on this week by Richard Wilkinson, UKG’s operations director in a press statement issued by Kuehne+Nagel to the global news network, detailing the latest commitment.
“Businesses have a hugely important role to help build a more sustainable future,” states Richard. “UK Greetings actively supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to transform our world by ending poverty and inequality, protecting the planet, and ensuring that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity,” he added.
Richard stressed that “in targeting the climate crisis, UK Greetings is making every effort to reduce carbon emissions from overseas shipping, as we strive to increase manufacturing in the UK. We are excited to join the Net Zero Carbon Programme, which will offset our remaining carbon emissions associated with the importation of our products.”
Top: UKG has been working with Kuehne+Nagel for its sea freight from Asia.
