Did you catch this fact? In 2032, more than 40 billion B2C parcel deliveries in Europe will cause more environmental stress. In France, transportation contributed to 41% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2022, with a huge portion coming from last-mile deliveries. French consumers strongly call for cleaner and greener ways of last-mile delivery services. What do French consumers think about eco-friendly last-mile delivery, challenges, and initiatives? Let’s explore!
French customer preferences for green last-mile delivery
Increasing French consumers agree that companies should reduce their carbon footprint and become more climate-oriented.
France ranks among the top three countries where people are most likely to back eco-friendly delivery options. 64% of French shoppers expect online stores to provide sustainable delivery, and 36% are prepared to pay additional costs for this service. Notably, Generation Z (63%) leads the charge in willingness to pay more for carbon-neutral delivery options, with Millennials (51%) and Generation X (48%) also showing strong support for such initiatives.
The main initiatives of green last-mile delivery
Summarized from the Green Last-mile Report, implementing sustainable last-mile delivery can be classified into three main categories:
- Operational initiatives: Improving eco-friendly operational efficiency by optimizing delivery routes, using cleaner transport like EVs and bikes, and adopting interactive Delivery Management systems to streamline processes.
- Infrastructural initiatives: Streamlining collections and deliveries through consolidated approaches, utilizing Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) points, parcel lockers, or urban consolidation centers to minimize the environmental impact.
- Administrative initiatives: This involves measures to balance out the carbon footprint, such as engaging in tree planting efforts or implementing policies to control emissions, thereby offsetting the environmental effects of delivery operations.
The challenges and future prospects
Despite the clear preference for green delivery options, some obstacles hinder adoption. These include the initial investment required for eco-friendly vehicles, infrastructure to support such vehicles (like charging stations for EVs), and the logistical complexities of coordinating green deliveries in densely populated urban areas. Managing consumer expectations for rapid delivery times and navigating complex regulatory environments further complicates the transition to greener delivery methods.
However, the prospects for sustainable last-mile delivery are encouraging, driven by technological advancements and collaborative efforts among businesses and communities. Technological improvements in EVs and logistics software, alongside a supportive ecosystem, can offer solutions to overcome existing barriers.
Consider partnering with a reliable last-mile service provider committed to sustainability like CIRRO Parcel, we can work together to advance a greener, more efficient delivery landscape.
