FedEx advances corporate responsibility efforts through team member involvement and smart investments

FedEx moved closer to meeting its 2020 global citizenship goals with significant support from its 290,000 global team members and through a number of smart investments. The FedEx 2010 Global Citizenship Update, released today, showcases how smart collaboration and strategic investments can help connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways, while creating economic opportunity. 

“FedEx connects people to opportunities and innovation around the globe. We fervently believe that by channeling our expertise, enthusiasm and resources wisely, we can help deliver a better world,” said Gerald Leary, president, FedEx Express EMEA.  “I am particularly proud that our latest Global Citizenship Report honors our employees who have embedded responsible corporate citizenship at the very heart of FedEx culture. Undoubtedly, our people form the bedrock of the FedEx success story.”

Environmental Initiatives

The FedEx 2010 Global Citizenship Update highlights the company’s overarching global commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment. In EMEA, FedEx Express celebrates an impressive range of sustainability accomplishments this year including:

The regional launch of EarthSmart, the company’s next generation of environmental sustainability;

ISO 14001:2004 certification of FedEx Express European hub Roissy-Charles de Gaulle in France recognizing the hub’s robust environmental management system; and

The inauguration of a state-of- the-art environmental friendly facility in Cologne, Germany. The new hub features approximately 16,000 m² of solar panels generating more than 800,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year—equivalent to the demand of 230 household with three persons.

Around the globe, FedEx is incorporating more efficient vehicles and aircraft in its fleet.  FedEx is increasing its investment in all-electric and alternative drive train vehicles.  This past year, FedEx increased its all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicle fleet by 20 percent to 410 vehicles in service across the globe, and is studying the all-electric fleet for further expansion.

Significant upgrades in air transportation have also been made through the expanded use of 777F aircraft. The 777F flies further on less fuel while carrying more cargo than the MD-11s they replaced. The aircraft has seven tons more cargo capacity than the MD-11 while also using 18 percent less fuel and reducing carbon emissions by 18 percent per ton of cargo. FedEx recently added six more 777F aircraft to its fleet increasing the 777F FedEx fleet to 12. Currently, four 777Fs are deployed in EMEA. Based on current purchase commitments, FedEx plans to have 45 777Fs in service globally by 2020. 

Philanthropic Outreach

Leveraging its wealth of transportation and logistics expertise, FedEx actively supports disaster relief and preparedness through in-kind shipping of relief supplies around the globe. Approximately 2.3 million kilograms of charitable shipping were donated internationally in 2010.  Relief efforts responding to the earthquake in Haiti and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico figured among the company’s top priority giving areas. FedEx support for disaster relief in 2010 exceeded the company’s annual target in charitable shipping by almost 20 percent, accounting for approximately 1.5 of pre-tax profits via in kind shipping and cash donations.

FedEx long-standing commitment to road safety and community outreach remains steadfast. The company’s decade-long investment to road safety, totaling US$13.5 million in giving globally, has helped to raise pedestrian safety awareness among schoolchildren around the world.  In EMEA, more than 380,000 children have received pedestrian safety education though the Walk This Way program, a FedEx partnership program with Safe Kids. This signature program, currently deployed in India, brings pedestrian safety concepts to children through the use of a wide range of awareness techniques and student engagement initiatives. Examples include in-school training, e-learning programs and interactive exhibits benefitting children and the larger community alike in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Additional road safety programs have been supported by FedEx in the United Kingdom and Belgium with leading national road safety organizations.

Employee Volunteerism

Employee giving serves as a cornerstone of FedEx commitment to community. “FedEx employees stand at the epicenter of the company’s success and philanthropic efforts. Our team members embrace flexibility, ingenuity and passion delivering results that benefit our communities for the better,” said Nathalie Amiel-Ferrault, Vice President, FedEx Express EMEA Customer Experience and Customer Service, MEIA Marketing & Communications: “This past fall, FedEx employees across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India and Belgium rolled up their sleeves donating their time and energy to local charities in celebration of FedEx Cares Week, a global volunteer campaign in support of the United Way.”