Online shoppers mindful of the environmental impact of delivery 2023, by country

In a survey conducted in the second quarter of 2023, some 26 percent of shoppers in the United Kingdom reported considering the environmental impact of delivery options when buying from the internet. That figure stood at 32 percent for online shoppers in Portugal, and 29 percent for those in Greece and Italy.

Brands’ action against pollution

From the moment online shoppers click on “order” a whole supply chain network activates with varying degrees of environmental impact. To lessen that pollution, brands worldwide are investing in the following leading sustainability initiatives: providing recyclable products (46 percent), efficient manufacturing (39 percent), as well as distancing themselves from partners that do not share the same sustainability goals (36 percent). In France, more than half of surveyed e-commerce businesses already offer eco-responsible and recyclable packaging for online deliveries.

Green consumers

Providing sustainable deliveries is an expensive endeavor for online retailers, who are forced to raise fulfillment costs. However, among selected European countries, Italian consumers (35 percent) are the most willing to pay three euros extra for more eco-friendly shipments. German online shoppers ranked second (32 percent), followed by 28 percent of Spanish e-shoppers. Sustainable deliveries will continue to have a pivotal role in e-commerce. By 2025, global emissions from international shipments are forecast to reach over 700 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.