Worldwide shipping firm UPS is to make sending a parcel to USA a much greener affair after announcing new targets to improve its fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

UPS has announced that it plans to improve the miles per gallon performance across its entire US parcel delivery fleet by 20 per cent between 2000 and 2020.

With a ground fleet of 60,000 vehicles, this will be no mean feat, even though the parcel shipping firm increased its fuel efficiency by ten per cent between 2000 and 2009.

The decision was announced as part of the firm's Sustainability Report, which also pointed out UPS became the first global package carrier to offer a carbon neutral service for US deliveries.

Senior vice president Bob Stoffel commented: "This new goal for the next decade is an important milestone in UPS's continuing dedication to finding and using new technology and processes that help us meet our customers' needs in a sustainable way."

The news comes as rival shipping firm DHL is trialling a hybrid truck in London to reduce carbon emissions.