Public Policy and Advocacy
FedEx actively participates in the political process with the ultimate goal of promoting and protecting the economic
future of our customers, team members, investors,
and businesses.
As a heavily regulated company, FedEx is affected by legislative initiatives across an array of policy issues and at
every level of government. We build relationships
with elected officials, agencies, and organizations through direct and indirect lobbying and advocacy efforts with a
specific focus on issues that could impact our
business.
FedEx has been a longtime leader and advocate on policy issues that include aviation, trade, transportation,
technology and innovation, tax and economic policy,
sustainability, and postal reform, among others. We remain focused on policy impact rather than partisan politics, and
our contributions reflect this nonpartisan
approach.
Our Government and Regulatory Affairs Department promotes legislative and regulatory actions that further FedEx global
business objectives while protecting against
unreasonable or burdensome government action.
For information on our current policy priorities, visit our FedEx Policy Perspectives webpage.
How We Engage
FedEx maintains a dedicated team of government and regulatory affairs professionals who manage our lobbying programs
and reports directly to the Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary. Operating from a global network of offices, we engage responsibly in the
political process while promoting compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
To ensure alignment with our overall business objectives, FedEx’s Government and Regulatory Affairs department
coordinates with business and regional leadership teams
to participate in core strategic processes. Long-term strategic priorities are reviewed annually with senior leaders
to identify potential risks and opportunities and
develop action plans.
Management and Board Oversight of Lobbying and Political Activities
The FedEx Board of Directors’ Governance, Safety, and Public Policy Committee (the “GSPP Committee”) assists the Board
in oversight of the company’s political
activities and expenditures. The GSPP Committee reviews and discusses:
- public policy and legislative trends that may affect the company’s business, performance, strategies, or
reputation;
- political activities and participation, including direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures;
- contributions to trade associations that engage in political activities;
- senior leadership’s identification, assessment and management of political activity risks; and
- reporting of company political activities and expenditures.
The GSPP Committee also periodically reviews the Policy
on Political Contributions with management and approves any policy changes.
Management implements reporting and other procedures to promote compliance with applicable law and our Policy on
Political Contributions, along with monitoring
political activities of significant trade associations where FedEx is a member.
FedEx Policies and Procedures for Political Contributions
FedEx political contributions and expenditures serve to further the best interests of the corporation and our
stockholders and team members and are made without regard
to personal political preferences of individual FedEx Board members, officers, or team members.
All political contributions are subject to extensive governmental regulation and public disclosure requirements, and
FedEx is fully committed to compliance with all
applicable campaign finance laws. Under U.S. federal law, FedEx cannot directly support federal candidates. In
addition, while some U.S. states allow corporate
contributions to state and local candidates or ballot issue campaigns, it is FedEx’s policy not to make such
contributions. FedEx does not make independent
expenditures.
FedEx does not contribute to groups organized under section 501(c)(4) or section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code,
except for membership dues, event sponsorships, and
contributions to the organizational committees of the Democratic and Republican national conventions and the
annual conferences of the Democratic and Republican
Governors Associations. These expenditures do not directly support election-related activity or ballot initiatives.
These limited corporate expenditures require approval from a Staff Vice President of Government Affairs, in
consultation with appropriate members of FedEx senior
management.
FedEx’s Code of Conduct prohibits team
members from conducting political activities on
company property or time, or using company resources (including vehicles, telephones, computers, or supplies). FedEx
team members are prohibited from committing to
political contributions on behalf of FedEx.
FedExPAC Contributions
FedExPAC keeps its members informed about government decisions affecting our business and allows FedEx team members to
pool voluntary contributions to support political
candidates and committees that further company interests.
FedExPAC is funded entirely by voluntary team member contributions – no corporate funds are used. FedExPAC membership
decisions do not affect a team member’s career at
FedEx.
FedExPAC operates under strict U.S. federal law and comprehensive government regulation. We file monthly and year-end
reports with the Federal Election Commission
(“FEC”), which are publicly available on the FEC website here, using
the Committee ID# C00068692. These reports provide an itemization of FedExPAC receipts and disbursements, including
any political contributions, over a
certain amount (currently, $200). Disclosure reports are also provided below.
U.S. Federal and State Lobbying Disclosures
On a quarterly basis, FedEx submits lobbying disclosures pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act, reporting federal
lobbying activities and expenses. Additionally,
FedEx and each individually registered lobbyist files semi-annual reports on federal contributions.
These reports are available on the U.S.
Senate's website
and are provided below. The reported expenditures list the aggregate dollar amount of FedEx’s U.S. federal lobbying
activities.
FedEx also files registrations with state agencies for each of the U.S. 50 states and the District of Columbia, which
are publicly available.
Participation and Membership in Trade Associations
Our participation in the political process is designed to promote and protect the economic future of FedEx, including
our stockholders and team members, and we maintain
memberships with a variety of trade associations and industry organizations expressly for that purpose.
Our memberships focus on addressing policy issues of long-term significance to FedEx in a meaningful manner, and we
support organizations that champion transportation,
global trade, sustainability, economic investment, security, and international affairs.
Trade associations often take collective industry positions on issues, helping us provide:
- strong financial returns;
- enhanced long-term stockholder value; and
- advancement of the best interests of our team members consistent with our corporate values.
We understand that we may not always agree with every position of a trade association or their other members. As a
general matter, the trade associations of which FedEx
is a member, like other membership-directed organizations, are driven by consensus. Typically, no one member dictates
priorities over the concerns/objections of other
members. When disagreements arise, we use various approaches to make our voice heard. We believe our dissenting voice
has greater impact when we participate as a member
of these organizations, especially in a leadership capacity, offering a balance of perspective.
FedEx leadership regularly reviews and evaluates memberships based on the organizations’ expertise in the key policy
areas noted above. We strategically seek leadership
positions as part of our memberships, whether through board service or key policy committee participation, and we
support the organization’s work through our own
direct lobbying, policy advocacy, and issue expertise.
Memberships are evaluated based on several criteria, such as:
- executing on industry priorities effectively;
- resource management and allocation to industry priorities;
- industry representation and communication approach;
- current and future industry acumen;
- timely reporting with analytical value;
- responsiveness to company and other members;
- accuracy in assessing current and emerging industry issues;
- quality of work product and ability to meet member expectations; and
- ability to maintain positive working relationships aligned to FedEx priorities.
The GSPP Committee reviews FedEx’s contributions to politically active trade associations with the Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary to ensure
overall alignment consistent with our advocacy efforts. Management monitors the appropriateness and effectiveness of
significant trade associations’ political
activities.
See a list of trade associations receiving $50,000 or more in annual dues from FedEx here.
Climate Lobbying
In March 2021, FedEx announced a goal to take our global operations carbon neutral by 2040. To underscore the
seriousness with which FedEx is approaching this goal and
the challenges of climate change, FedEx Executive Chairman and founder Frederick W. Smith testified in front of the
House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure at
the hearing “The Business Case for Climate Solutions” in March 2021. Additionally, the FedEx government
affairs team met directly with members of U.S. Congress to educate
them about the FedEx 2040 carbon neutral operations goal and the pathways towards meeting this goal following the
announcement and Mr. Smith’s testimony.
Sustainability and climate policy that positively impacts the transportation and logistics industry remains a
critical component of our advocacy strategy today.
FedEx works with various government and industry organizations to advocate on various proposals and initiatives that
address climate challenges, particularly as it
relates to FedEx and the transportation ecosystem. On occasion, the views of FedEx are not completely aligned with
those of other members in external organizations in
which we hold membership. Given the variety of policy topics relevant to our company, FedEx focuses engagement with
individual membership organizations on the topic
areas where their convening power is strongest. For instance, we may focus our engagement with a broad trade
association towards specific subgroups focused on expanding
international trade and channel more of our sustainability engagement towards another organization altogether.
Our in-house government affairs team independently advocates for FedEx positions on all significant issues, ensuring
our views are represented regardless of trade
association alignment. This kind of direct policymaker engagement, in lieu of relying on trade associations, has been
a hallmark of FedEx government engagement since
the company’s founding in the 1970s.
One such example of FedEx’s independent engagement occurred in 2022 when members of the FedEx government affairs team
met directly with dozens of congressional offices
to advocate for various proposals related to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development, vehicle electrification, and
related electric vehicle infrastructure needs
that were ultimately included in the final Inflation Reduction Act. Across the board, we strive to engage in a
productive manner, foster innovation, and improve the
transportation sector’s sustainability and business performance.
The table below includes notable examples of our engagement with trade associations that seek to shape climate-related
policy, and the degree to which FedEx shares or
influences organizational perspectives:
|
Organization
|
Organization Position on Climate Change
|
Areas of Influence and Alignment
|
|
Airlines for America (A4A)
|
Members of A4A have committed to working across the aviation industry and with government leaders in a
positive partnership to achieve net-zero carbon emissions
by 2050.
|
FedEx actively participates in relevant committees of A4A. Members of A4A have committed to working across the
aviation industry and with government leaders in
a positive partnership to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are proactively working on efforts to
reduce GHGs from aviation at both the national and
international level.
Nationally, FedEx advocates for the adoption of international standards developed at ICAO, including the
timely implementation of CORSIA as well as ICAO’s 2017
standards and recommended practices for aircraft greenhouse gas emissions.
FedEx has also publicly supported A4A-led advocacy efforts advancing the commercialization and deployment of
SAFs in the aviation industry.
|
|
American Trucking Associations (ATA)
|
ATA’s mission is to serve and represent the U.S. trucking industry with a single, united voice to influence
policies beneficial to the industry; promote safety
on America’s highways; improve the industry’s image, efficiency, and competitiveness; educate the public about
the critical role trucking plays in the economy;
research significant industry issues all while striving for a healthy business environment. ATA advocates for
science-based laws and regulations to maintain and
protect the environment, and to the greatest extent possible, ensure uniformity across all levels of
government.
|
FedEx is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Trucking Associations (ATA). FedEx has a
representative on the ATA's Energy and Environment Policy
Committee. FedEx engaged ATA for support of first-ever GHG emissions and fuel efficiency regulations for all
commercial vehicles in the U.S. before legislative
passage and regulatory stakeholder engagement, of which FedEx was an active, and ongoing, member.
|
|
Business Roundtable (BRT)
|
In 2020, the Business Roundtable (BRT) released a new set of guiding principles on climate change, calling on
corporations to lead by example in endorsing sound
policies to encourage innovation and significantly reduce GHG emissions in support of the objectives of the
Paris Agreement. BRT supports the scientific
consensus around climate change and that human activity is contributing to this change. As BRT states, “We are
committed to supporting our governments in
delivering on their commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change.”
|
The FedEx Chief Sustainability Officer consulted in the development of the organization’s 2020 sustainability
report and policy principles alongside
representatives from other BRT member companies. Additionally, FedEx regularly participates in annual updates
to this report, among other reporting activities
for the organization. In addition, FedEx was a signatory to the BRT’s Statement on the Purpose of a
Corporation.
|
|
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
|
In 2021, NAM published “The Promise Ahead,” a climate policy roadmap. This document stated that human activity
is causing climate change. The organization
called for improvements to the existing Paris Agreement as well as a “unified domestic framework” that applies
to all emitters and harmonizes GHG regulation
across jurisdictions. Additionally, NAM has called for cross-sectoral investment in energy and water
efficiency, modernization of the electric grid, and support
for commercialization of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology (CCUS).
|
FedEx primarily engages with NAM on non-sustainability issues, focused more on transportation, tax and trade
policy. However, we have collaborated with them on
recommendations for a more sustainable supply chain.
|
|
U.S. Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”)
|
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has undertaken a major shift in its approach to climate change and related
policy. In January 2021, the organization announced an
update to its “Position on Climate Change,” which included support for a market-based approach to accelerate
GHG emissions reductions across the U.S. economy
and support for climate-related R&D amid an urgent need for action. It states that it supports U.S.
participation in the Paris Agreement.
|
FedEx engages with the Chamber on a variety of policy issues. Sustainability is not a key area of our
engagement with the Chamber. FedEx holds a seat on the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
|
FedEx takes action in additional ways regarding climate-related activities. For instance:
-
Electrification Coalition: To advance fleet electrification efforts, FedEx belongs to the SAFE-affiliated
Electrification Coalition. Through engagement with the
Electrification Coalition, we support the education of key stakeholders about the fleet electrification journey and
related policy considerations.
-
First Movers Coalition: To help accelerate solutions, we are members of the First Movers Coalition, participating in
the Aviation Sector working group, a global
initiative working to decarbonize ‘hard-to-abate’ industrial sectors, including the aviation industry, to keep the
planet on a 1.5 degree pathway.
-
Keystone Policy Center: FedEx participated in the drafting of the report, 2021 Decarbonization Dialogue:
Consensus-based Recommendations for Federal Decarbonization
Policy, with the former FedEx Chief Sustainability Officer serving on its Steering Committee and Transportation
Working Group. The report is available here.
In addition, the current CSO serves on the Keystone Energy Board.
Further, we have reported on our environmental impact since 2009 and remain steadfast in transparently sharing our
progress through our annual sustainability reports
and other disclosures.
For additional information on our engagement with external organizations on climate change legislation, see
our 2024 CDP
Climate Change Response.