Laura Lane on how UPS is leveraging innovation and technology to deliver on sustainability goals

Ahead of the Sustainable Innovation Forum 2021, Climate Action caught up with Laura Lane, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at UPS, to discuss how UPS is leveraging innovation and technology to deliver on sustainability goals.

How are global sustainability goals being approached holistically at UPS?

At UPS, our goal is to deliver a net positive impact on our communities and the environment. We recognize that delivering that impact across each environmental, social, governance (ESG) pillar is essential for our holistic sustainability approach.  As we see it, these pillars are interrelated, and advancing in one area requires advancing across all of them. Any company that seeks to be credible and impactful in taking on our most urgent global challenges – particularly climate change – must constantly innovate and drive sustainable collaboration across all pillars.

How important are public-private sector collaborations in addressing climate change challenges? What direction does industry need from government?

At UPS, we tap into the power of partnership, and working together with stakeholders – both in the public and private sectors – is crucial for us to meet our ESG commitments. Government can help by providing a clear, stable framework that spurs innovation for sustainable business growth while also advancing policies that champion equity and justice around the world.

How is UPS leveraging innovation and technology to deliver on sustainability goals?

Technology is at the heart of our efforts to address the climate challenge while serving our customers around the globe. For example, our use of innovative smart grid technology to charge electric vehicles at our main package centre facility in London is a collaboration between UPS, public authorities, energy providers and the community. As we expand our fleet of electric vehicles worldwide, charging infrastructure investments will be crucial as we travel the path to full electrification of our facilities and our ground and air fleets.

How did you incorporate sustainability into your career path, and why does this topic hold meaning to you personally?

I’ve worn many hats over the years, but regardless of my role or job title, purpose fuels my actions – that’s also true of our more than 540,000 UPS employees globally. Whether accelerating climate action or building more equitable communities in 220 countries and territories around the world, a global perspective is vital. I’m honored and privileged to lead UPS sustainability efforts – we’re moving our world forward by delivering what matters.

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 UPS are speaking at the Sustainable Innovation Forum 2021, to join them register here now.