More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Australians would choose lower-carbon-emitting parcel delivery methods, according to new research from leading parcel collection service, Hubbed, an emerging consumer preference that retailers and carriers will need to meet.
Recent research from Wollongong University has shown that Australia’s transport sector is responsible for nearly one-fifth of the country’s carbon emissions, and this only looks to accelerate with growth in online shopping and in turn, more delivery vehicles on roads.
When Hubbed analysed preferences for low-carbon delivery methods across the states, it found Victorians seem to be more environmentally conscious shoppers with 73 per cent saying they would choose a delivery method if it would reduce carbon emissions, compared with 68 per cent of South Australians and 59 per cent of Queenslanders. The younger the shopper, the more environmentally conscious too, with 74 per cent of 18-30-year-olds would choose a low-carbon delivery method, compared with 61 per cent of over-50s.
Hubbed also found that 69 per cent of Australians would like retailers to label delivery methods with low emissions as ‘low carbon’ on their checkout pages to help them choose the most carbon-friendly option when shopping online.
Hubbed founder and CEO, David McLean, said the e-commerce boom over the last 12 months has delivered unprecedented growth in the industry.
“In fact, we can expect to see more than two billion people globally shopping online this year, according to Statista data. Our findings show that Australians are acutely aware of the impact online shopping can have on the environment and are open to shifting their behaviours as a result. This presents a growing challenge for carriers and retailers to ensure they have an environmental strategy in place to manage increased parcel volumes, while reducing their impact on the planet.”
McLean has shared five tactics to help retailers and carriers be more sustainable.
- Offer delivery methods that reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Online retailers should consider offering alternative delivery choices at checkout, such as delivery to collection points so couriers can deliver multiple parcels to one location. This can help save on petrol costs and reduce congestion and carbon emissions.
- Bring parcels closer to customers. Retailers and carriers should consider leveraging ‘micro-fulfilment centres’ in metro areas. This can shorten the distance between customers and their online orders, thereby speeding up delivery times and reducing emissions.
- Educate consumers about the impact of certain delivery choices. There has been an increase in same-day and next-day delivery options. While they can be convenient for consumers, they also negatively impact the environment. Shorter time frames force drivers to start delivery runs with vehicles that aren’t at full capacity and increasing their trips to depots. Retailers need to inform customers of the impact of choosing such options during the checkout process.
- Partner with environmentally conscious carriers. Retailers should seek out carriers that are already beginning to reduce their carbon emissions with some carriers already committed to becoming carbon neutral, while others have started using electric vehicles across their fleets.
- Consider sustainable packaging options. Retailers would be wise to seek out environmentally friendly packaging options, including recycled or low-carbon packing materials, satchels, and boxes, to help attract and retain customers, who may feel confident shopping from retailers that are actively reducing their impact on the environment.
Mastercard research confirms consumers become increasingly conscious of environmental impact
There is a boom in personal climate action, as consumer attitudes toward the environment evolve as a direct result of Covid-19, according to new research on sustainability, commissioned by Mastercard. This signals a growing trend toward eco-conscious spending and consumption among people who want to turn their purchases into meaningful action for the planet.
Over half of Australians surveyed (57 per cent) see reducing their carbon footprint as being more important now than they did pre-pandemic. And as consumers become more conscious about their own actions, almost two-thirds of Australians (61 per cent) believe that companies should behave in more sustainable and eco-friendly ways since Covid-19, with Millennials (67 per cent) and Gen Z (65 per cent) leading this shift.
As consumers across Australia call on companies and brands to behave in more sustainable and eco-friendly ways, the research revealed that reducing waste and tackling plastic pollution are the first and third most important behaviours for organisations to adopt, according to Australians (38 per cent and 33 per cent).
For businesses that do not have a plan to better the environment, 26 per cent of young Australians are sending a clear message, saying they will stop buying products from these brands all together.
Written by Emily Bencic