21 September 2023 | News

Barcolana on the move with BRT: a sustainable partnership

Barcolana on the move with BRT. The express courier is providing delivery services for all merchandise for the 55th edition of the largest sailing regatta in the world, in addition to being Golden Sponsor of the event.

The shared values which underpin the partnership between BRT and Barcolana are fundamental to both logistics and sailing: sustainability and team work. It will also be an opportunity for BRT to establish a relationship with the Barcolana system as a whole, and to promote its new services for businesses interested in expanding into e-commerce.

This partnership with Barcolana came about naturally, mainly on the back of a shared vision on sustainability issues. The Geopost group has embarked on an accelerated process of ecological transition, which will result in us becoming the leading provider of sustainable shipping”, said Sandra Iacobucci, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer at BRT. “Sailing in itself is sustainable, but Barcolana has chosen to go one step further by promoting a series of side events during the regatta to bolster sustainability culture and focus attention on the future of the sea. This is what we do at BRT: we support the development of green mobility, drawing awareness to the importance of the ecological transition. Something else we share with the world of sailing is the importance of team work, a value deeply rooted in our corporate culture. Just like on a boat, team work is crucial to our warehouses and logistics hubs: everything must be synchronised, with everyone giving their all to the team and contributing to reaching the common goal”.

According to the Geopost sustainability report, BRT’s commitment to the environment speaks for itself: in 2022 CO2 emissions per consignment were reduced by 14.1% compared to 2020, while the target for 2025 is 27%. The company’s green strategy also includes a project to decarbonise transport and electrify all branches, which involved the installation of more than 600 charging stations across its 200 Italian sites. BRT’s fleet currently consists of over 1,300 low-emission vehicles, including electric, pedal assisted and methane-powered, and 81% of the remaining vehicles meet European standards 5 and 6.

The Geopost Group, of which BRT is part, has developed its own strategy aimed at net zero by 2040, earlier than is required by international agreements. In 2022, Geopost carried out 235 million carbon neutral deliveries and implemented carbon offsetting projects.

Geopost is also the first company in the delivery sector to have its long- and short-term CO2 emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This landmark achievement scientifically endorses Geopost's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to as near zero as possible by 2040, while also furthering the Group’s pathway to becoming an international leader in sustainable delivery.