Sustainability is inarguably a multifaceted concept, the responsibility of which falls upon consumers as much as it does on businesses and governments. The good news is that the latest report from FedEx Express, one of the leading delivery transportation companies, suggests that consumers are not only aware but also prefer sustainable means of buying goods.
The ‘What’s Next in E-Commerce’ survey report by the company suggests that seven out of ten people in India want to receive their goods not only faster but also in more sustainable ways. In fact, as per the report, more Indian customers, as opposed to those in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, prioritised sustainability in their deliveries. The report also suggests that eight out of ten consumers in India also preferred to buy from companies with effective environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. Overall, more than 90 per cent of consumers were even ready to incur a premium for products that have proved to be positive to the environment,
However, of the surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), only 38 per cent actually had ESG goals. Furthermore, 74 per cent of the surveyed companies either feared the costs associated with sustainability or are unconvinced of productive returns from any investment in the area of sustainability. Apart from SMEs and consumers in India, 10 other markets in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region (AMEA) were a part of the survey.
In a statement about the report, Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) at FedEx Express said, “Sustainability is no longer an optional extra for SMEs interested in expanding their e-commerce businesses. Consumers increasingly see it as an essential and non-negotiable part of their decision-making process.”
The report also suggested that increased use of electric vehicles for transportation can be a way to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
Image used for representational purposes only.