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Low-carbon pathways for the booming express delivery sector in China

Author

Listed:
  • Peng Kang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Guanghan Song

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Ming Xu

    (University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

  • Travis R. Miller

    (Yale University)

  • Haikun Wang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Hui Zhang

    (Wuhan Institute of Technology)

  • Gang Liu

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Ya Zhou

    (Guangdong University of Technology)

  • Junshu Ren

    (SF Group)

  • Ruoyu Zhong

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Huabo Duan

    (Shenzhen University)

Abstract

Express delivery services are booming in both developed and emerging economies due to their low cost, convenience, and the fast growth in online shopping. The increasing environmental impacts of express delivery services and mitigation potentials, however, remain largely unexplored. Here we addressed such a gap for China, a country which is expanding online retail sales and express delivery rapidly. We found a total of 8.8 Mt of scrap packaging materials were generated by the express delivery sector in China in 2018. Its transportation-related GHG emissions surged from 0.3 Mt in 2007 to 13.7 Mt of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) in 2018, with an average of 0.27 kgCO2e per piece. Over 80% from online shopping deliveries. We predict these emissions will reach 75 MtCO2e by 2035. Nevertheless, it is possible to mitigate such GHG emissions by 102~134 MtCO2e between 2020 and 2035 if a suite of policies is adopted, including a slowdown of delivery speed, fuel system upgrades, packaging materials reduction, logistics optimization, and carbon pricing.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng Kang & Guanghan Song & Ming Xu & Travis R. Miller & Haikun Wang & Hui Zhang & Gang Liu & Ya Zhou & Junshu Ren & Ruoyu Zhong & Huabo Duan, 2021. "Low-carbon pathways for the booming express delivery sector in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-20738-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20738-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Bu, Yan & Wang, Erda & Möst, Dominik & Lieberwirth, Martin, 2022. "How population migration affects carbon emissions in China: Factual and counterfactual scenario analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    2. Li Ling & Ran Anping & Xu Di, 2023. "Proposal of a hybrid decision-making framework for the prioritization of express packaging recycling patterns," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 2610-2647, March.
    3. Ut-Tha Veenarat, 2023. "Pioneering Eco-Cart: Carbon Reduction Solutions for Thai Online Shoppers," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 18(4), pages 515-536, December.
    4. Li, Jinkai & Gao, Ming & Luo, Erga & Wang, Jingyi & Zhang, Xuebiao, 2023. "Does rural energy poverty alleviation really reduce agricultural carbon emissions? The case of China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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