The Dave Matthews Band, a longtime leader in "greening" initiatives, is working with UPS (NYSE:UPS) to help create a more sustainable concert tour this summer.

"We're joining the band to move the music in a sustainable way," said Ron Rogowski, UPS vice president, sponsorship & events. "We will demonstrate to the live music industry that speed, efficiency and reliability need not be sacrificed in the name of sustainability."

UPS already has assumed responsibility for the logistics planning and actual movement of the huge stage, lighting and production equipment being used by the Dave Matthews Band on its four-city "Caravan" tour, which opened June 24 in Atlantic City and most recently performed July 8-to-10 in Chicago. The tour continues in New York Aug. 26-to-28 and concludes in Seattle from Sept. 2-to-4.

"We've worked so hard to reduce our carbon footprint over the last two decades," said Patrick Jordan, spokesman for Dave Matthews Band. "Every year our mission is to figure out how to make our touring even more sustainable."

For the tour's concert movements, UPS is taking a three-step approach, devising the most efficient transport solution possible leveraging its multimodal network; precisely measuring the carbon footprint of the moves, and then purchasing the necessary certified carbon CO2 offsets to mitigate the emissions.

"Managing the logistics of a concert tour is not unlike what UPS does every day for customers in the high-tech and healthcare sectors; both demand flawless execution," Rogowski noted. "UPS is uniquely qualified to handle both the environmental and logistical challenges associated with delivering live concert events and we're proud to be working with the Dave Matthews Band Caravan as a founding partner in our sustainable touring logistics program."

UPS takes a comprehensive approach to its sustainability efforts, which includes utilizing a wide range of transport modes to help its customers find the right balance between price, speed and environmental impact. Every day, the logistics company coordinates the movement of millions of shipments using a global network of trucks, aircraft, trains and ships, nimbly shifting between modes to maximize efficiency while ensuring customers receive the service they require.

UPS became the first package carrier in the United States to unveil a carbon neutral program in 2009, building on the company’s legacy of sustainable business practices and satisfying the demand for eco-friendly products. The calculation to measure the carbon (CO2) impact of the customers' shipments is based on current and historical operational data, including distance and transport mode and a comprehensive carbon inventory that is third-party verified.

UPS's proprietary calculation methodology and processes are verified by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS). In addition, the carbon offset process also is certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. The calculator is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely used international standard for carbon accounting and reporting.

When a customer elects to neutralize their shipments, UPS calculates the carbon impact and then purchases high-quality certified carbon offsets on the customer's behalf. UPS will target "Voluntary Carbon Standard" or "Climate Action Reserve" certified offsets.

UPS long has been a leader in exploring and implementing transportation solutions that improve efficiency, beginning with the use of electric vehicles in the 1930s and extending to its present day fleet of nearly 2,000 alternative fuel vehicles, which have logged more than 200 million miles since 2000. Throughout its history, UPS has continually demonstrated its commitment to reducing its environmental impact through initiatives focused on fuel, water and energy conservation, emissions reduction and waste management.

UPS has been recognized repeatedly by a wide range of sustainability-focused organizations for its industry-leading environmental and social responsibility efforts. Most recently, in 2010, UPS earned the No. 1 ranking on the Climate Counts scorecard in the consumer shipping sector for the second consecutive year. The logistics company also was ranked first in social responsibility among all eligible delivery companies by Fortune in its "World's Most Admired" 2010 survey.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) and Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV) announced an alliance in May 2011 through which UPS serves as the exclusive global package, shipping and logistics sponsor of Live Nation Entertainment and select Live Nation Entertainment tours and venues. UPS also serves as an Official Sustainability Partner of Live Nation Entertainment with both parties working together to reduce transportation emissions and waste. In addition, UPS provides carbon neutral shipping in North America for ticket orders for events at Live Nation owned and operated venues and merchandise purchased from the Live Nation Entertainment Store.

UPS can be found on the Web at UPS.com and its corporate blog can be found at blog.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS. To learn more about UPS's responsible business practices, visit ups.com/responsibility.

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UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves 10.6 million customers daily in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

For more information, please visit UPS.com or the company’s Sustainability website, ups.com/sustainability. View and subscribe to UPS Horizons, our sustainability newsletter, by visiting ups.com/sustainabilitynewsletter.

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