ESG Strategy

The parcel journey

In 2021/22, Evri had the lowest carbon emission per parcel of any dedicated parcel delivery company in the UK and is growing the biggest sustainable truck fleet in the industry. We plan to reach net-zero in direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2035.

Sustainability is increasingly important to our customers and through out-of-home solutions, our lower-carbon bio-CNG fleet and other ESG investments, we have been able to lead the market in offering greener [more sustainable parcel delivery solutions.

UK e-cargo bike trials started in March 2022– a net-zero method of home delivery. The trial used a new electronically assisted cargo bike made from natural fibre composite materials and recycled plastics and metals. Bikes now operate in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.

The total number of parcels expected to be delivered is around 350,000 per year with an estimated saving 57.4 tons of CO2 per annum.

All final mile deliveries in London are electrically powered. In 2022-23, we are increasing our dedicated out of home EV fleet to nearly 30% across the country.

As the owner and operator of one of the largest national transport fleets in the country, one of the important ways we are delivering against this target is by growing the biggest sustainable fleet in the industry of bio-CNG and electric vehicles, as well as using 100% renewable electricity.

ParcelShops & Packaging

Our 9,000+ ParcelShops are important to Evri’s ESG strategy as they provide customers nationwide with a convenient and carbon-cutting alternative to deliveries – we currently have a ParcelShop within a 10-minute walk for 77% of the population.

Beyond this, we’ve built on our packageless returns services, with customers taking their return items to a ParcelShop where staff will package it in an FSC-approved eco-friendly bag and consolidate into containers, reducing the amount of driver collections and CO2 emissions.

Evri has a large self-employed workforce of over 18,000 couriers. Engagement is critical to ensure that Evri’s couriers are trained, motivated, and rewarded to deliver the service our customers expect. With a bigger focus on data and measurement, we use timely feedback, targeted training, and recognition schemes to improve our courier’s performance and outcomes with a focus on getting the delivery of every parcel right first time.

Evri was the first company of its kind to agree a ground-breaking agreement with a union. Our “self-employed plus” model saw us introducing benefits that led the way for others, with the GMB Union saying, “Other employers should take notice, this is how it’s done.”  Under this new model, we were the first parcel company to introduce benefits including holiday pay, the right to guaranteed pay, auto-enrollment into a pension, and the right to maternity and paternity leave.

At Evri, we’re extremely proud of the positive impact we make in the communities we work in through our charity partners, Emmaus UK, Go Beyond and Bloody Good Period, and by rallying behind the causes that our people love. Supporting charitable and community organisations fits perfectly with one of our core values – Do the right thing.

Charity partners

Since we began our partnership with national homelessness charity Emmaus in November 2020, we have raised almost £130,000 for them. The charity has been able to use this money to invest in its buildings, making much needed repairs and improvements such as improved insulation and installation of solar panels. These changes have helped the charity improve its infrastructure, lower its energy bills and move closer to its green vision. In December 2022, Emmaus was also able to purchase a one-bedroom house in Leeds, known as a ‘move-on’ property, with help from the funds we donated.

As well as raising vital funds for the charity through fundraising activities, we are also exploring other ways to support them, including providing valuable work experience and work placements, running technology and interview training workshops, and donating items for their companions.

We have also partnered with national charity GoBeyond for several years. Go Beyond give children who have been bereaved, abused, or bullied, who are living in poverty or caring for loved ones, the chance to escape their worries and pressures through breaks in the countryside. In 2022/23 we supported Go Beyond through fundraising activities and by offering free delivery of the presents they send all the children at Christmas.