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The environmental impact of purchase mobility in France: Determinants and individual heterogeneity

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  • Desquith, Louise-Ella
  • Koning, Martin

Abstract

What is the environmental footprint of shopping-related mobility and how are emissions distributed among individuals? We approach this question by estimating individual pollutant footprints, using a survey of travel practices linked to goods purchases by French households, which we combine with emission factors for NOx, PM2.5 and CO2. The results show that the top 20% of emitters account for between 65% and 74% of emissions from representative trips. At the individual level, these top emitters have higher purchase frequencies, travel longer distances, are highly dependent on cars, and have high emission intensities when traveling by car. The characteristics most strongly associated with high emission levels are living in a high-density area, being female, having a low income, and preferring home delivery. In addition, increased frequency of trips to relay points is correlated with higher emissions of local pollutants (NOx, PM2.5). In summary, individual environmental footprints associated with online purchases increase with the intensification of shopping trips, which is itself driven by a higher frequency of online purchases and a greater propensity to use the car.

Suggested Citation

  • Desquith, Louise-Ella & Koning, Martin, 2026. "The environmental impact of purchase mobility in France: Determinants and individual heterogeneity," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:207:y:2026:i:c:s0965856426000765
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2026.104935
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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