Consumers International calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration to make online shopping more sustainable

Greening e-commerce can shift global consumption patterns towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 and mitigating the impacts of climate change. But collaborative efforts are needed to make it real. 

 

Online shopping has seen widespread growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with global e-commerce sales expected to reach 4.2 trillion USD this year. As this shift continues, making sure consumers have the information they need to choose sustainable options when shopping online will be key to promoting sustainable consumption patterns globally and supporting the green transition. Collaboration between businesses, policy-makers, and civil society is now critical to make this a reality for consumers everywhere. 

 

In 2022, 62% of consumers say they’re willing to change their purchasing habits to reduce environmental impact. In the minds of the next generation of consumers, sustainable choices are not just the right thing to do, but the thing you want to do. Real-world behaviours, however, are trailing. Even for the most concerned consumers, the gap between intention and action remains high – and may even be widening.  

What is the GreEnCommerce project? 

 

At COP26 last year, Consumers International and our Members worldwide called for stakeholders to harness the collective power of consumers to accelerate action against climate change. Now Consumers International is kick-starting a new project – GreEnCommerce – to grasp this opportunity for change. Implemented in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the GreEnCommerce project will draw on original research and in-depth stakeholder consultations to formulate pioneering global recommendations for policy-makers and businesses. These will provide clear, evidenced pathways that stakeholders can act on to make sustainable choices easier for consumers online.