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~ Seven Senders ~

What is the impact of strong e-commerce growth on the planet? Does online shopping have
a bigger environmental footprint than brick-and-mortar retail? A recent study by Seven
Senders offers insights for e-tailers.

onsumer demand for sustainable scale of the difference varies between countries, with the
consumption is rising – 90% of 18–24-year- relative impact of online retail in Germany being much
Colds, Generation Z, now say that all better than in other countries, as its high density of brick-
companies should make a positive social and-mortar retail results in three times more carbon
contribution and take responsibility for protecting emissions than online retail. In Spain, Italy, and the UK, the
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our environment . Expectations regarding ratio is still around 2:1. On average, the calculated carbon
sustainability present many e-tailers with challenges emissions per product sold in retail stores are higher than in
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that will only become greater over time as the sector online retail by a factor of 2.3 .
continues to grow.
Another factor of online retail that improves eco-balance is
Roadmap 2025: Sustainability in European e-commerce, an many online stores utilise centralised or shared warehouses
exclusive study published by Seven Senders, outlines the to store their products. The delivery method and its higher
areas where online retailers have the greatest potential for level of automation also make online retail more efficient –
reducing their carbon footprint. Along with examples of best large warehouses are 16 times more energy-efficient or have
practices within the e-commerce industry, the study brings a lower energy footprint than retail stores.
together the latest research findings and consumer attitudes
regarding sustainability and e-commerce. The graphic below illustrates the difference in CO2
equivalents released per product sold between e-commerce
The reality: e-commerce is more sustainable than its and brick-and-mortar retail businesses:
reputation
Many consumers falsely believe online retail is more There is still room for improvement in terms of climate
damaging to the environment than brick-and-mortar retail. protection for online retail. The lion’s share of emissions
Yet studies demonstrate that stationary retail produces generated in e-commerce is attributable to transport – first
considerably more emissions in almost every respect. The and last mile combined. It accounts for between 35% and

IMAGE SOURCE: OLIVER WYMAN, “IS E-COMMERCE GOOD FOR EUROPE?”, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY, P. 64

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