In 2023, online shopping in France surged to 39.4 million users, raising questions about its environmental impact compared to in-store purchases. An innovative tool from the ecological transition agency Ademe helps consumers assess the carbon footprint of their shopping choices, highlighting that product production often contributes more to emissions than delivery. Key factors include transportation mode and packaging. Ademe aims to enhance consumer awareness of carbon footprints and is working on standards for retailers to disclose CO2 impacts.
The Growing Trend of Online Shopping in France
In 2023, a remarkable 39.4 million individuals in France embraced online shopping, marking an increase of 500,000 shoppers within just a year, according to the latest findings by the Federation of e-commerce (Fevad). Each shopper placed an average of 60 orders online. But what does this shift in consumer behavior mean for the environment? Is the ecological footprint of online shopping heavier than that of in-store purchases? The answer is nuanced and depends significantly on the items purchased and the chosen delivery method, whether it be pickup points, home delivery, or click & collect options.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of Online vs. In-Store Shopping
Recently, the ecological transition agency, Ademe, rolled out an innovative online tool designed to help consumers evaluate and compare their shopping choices. “We have identified various factors, including logistics sites for parcel processing, packaging amounts, transportation modes (such as road and air), and the specific delivery methods,” explains Marc Cottignies, an engineer within Ademe’s Transport and Mobility division. This tool considers aspects such as the energy usage of a parcel pickup point and the mode of transport consumers utilize to collect their packages, whether it’s by car (and the type of car), public transport, or on foot.
One notable conclusion is that the product’s production has a more significant carbon footprint than its delivery. For instance, if you drive 20 km round trip to pick up a pair of shoes, your CO2 emissions will be higher than if you opt to walk to a nearby pickup point. When comparing the impact of shopping at a local store versus picking up a parcel, the environmental effects are generally similar.
Using the tool developed by Ademe and the startup Impact CO2, average carbon footprints for items like shoes can be assessed. However, it currently does not account for specifics such as the model, brand, or origin of the product, which can greatly influence the carbon impact. For instance, a pair of shoes made in Europe will have a different environmental footprint compared to one sourced from an ultra-fast fashion retailer in Asia.
The tool also allows for adjustments based on vehicle type. If you use an electric vehicle for a 15 km trip to collect a pair of shoes, the CO2 impact drops significantly to 3.76 kg. However, when manufacturing emissions are considered, this number can rise to 20.2 kg CO2 when driving a conventional car.
“Our simulations indicate that walking to a store or traveling to collect a parcel from a pickup point results in nearly identical carbon footprints,” observes Cottignies. Nevertheless, using a thermal car for pickups increases the purchase’s overall carbon impact, influenced by distance and vehicle type.
For example, purchasing a coffee maker results in 2.23 kg CO2 when walking to a local store, whereas driving 15 km in a thermal car raises that to 9.13 kg CO2, and using an electric car brings it down to 5.71 kg CO2.
“The excessive packaging associated with online shopping amplifies the carbon footprint compared to in-store purchases,” notes Cottignies. The cardboard used for packaging represents additional resources utilized for delivery, which can significantly impact the environment, especially if not reused. However, it is possible to engage in online shopping without resorting to overpackaging.
The primary goal of the Ademe tool is to equip consumers with tailored insights regarding their purchasing impact while also raising awareness about the significance of carbon footprints measured in kg CO2. Additionally, Ademe is developing a project for an experimental standard that would enable retailers, such as Darty or Fnac, to disclose the CO2 impact of products based on their purchasing methods.