Sustainable e-commerce in the United Kingdom (UK) - statistics & facts
Achieving sustainability appears to be more challenging in the UK e-commerce industry every year. Not even the economic recession reversed the growing trend in package shipping in the United Kingdom. In the twelve months ending March 2024, over 3.9 million packages were shipped in the country, a figure surpassed only by the peak of pandemic times.
However, most of the retailers' carbon footprint comes from the production, supply, and distribution of products that precede the sale and delivery to consumers. Despite tangible efforts, groups like Amazon have not succeeded in reducing their location-based carbon emissions, giving consumers good reasons to be concerned.
Shipping to pick-up points and parcel lockers would make delivery more efficient and eco-friendly. Estimates based on London show that out-of-home delivery models would successfully reduce congestion in cities. Consumers' opinion aligns with forecast scenarios, as over half of UK shoppers are aware delivery at service points or parcel lockers is more eco-friendly and wish more retailers would offer out-of-home pickup options in the United Kingdom.
E-commerce footprint
Parcel volumes might be due to the operations of different types of businesses. While online retail accounts for less than 14 percent of industrial real estate, third-party logistics and distribution companies – indirectly serving wholesale and retail businesses - contribute to over one-third of the annual take-up of warehouses in the UK. Delivery plays a key role in the carbon footprint of online retail. Couriers operate differently, generating carbon emissions which range from 200 to 600 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per parcel.However, most of the retailers' carbon footprint comes from the production, supply, and distribution of products that precede the sale and delivery to consumers. Despite tangible efforts, groups like Amazon have not succeeded in reducing their location-based carbon emissions, giving consumers good reasons to be concerned.
Good news, at last
Like other G7 countries, the United Kingdom committed to the net-zero emissions target by 2050, including all economic sectors. While the emissions reduction plan appears too ambitious in the international aviation and shipping sectors, more optimistic prospects open in last-mile delivery closely related to e-commerce activities. Urban areas are ideal for cycle freight expansion. In London, the number of cargo bikes increased by over 40 percent between 2022 and 2023. By 2030, delivery operators have the chance to replace up to 17 percent of van kilometers with bicycle freight in the Central London area.Shipping to pick-up points and parcel lockers would make delivery more efficient and eco-friendly. Estimates based on London show that out-of-home delivery models would successfully reduce congestion in cities. Consumers' opinion aligns with forecast scenarios, as over half of UK shoppers are aware delivery at service points or parcel lockers is more eco-friendly and wish more retailers would offer out-of-home pickup options in the United Kingdom.
