In line with its continued efforts to develop its emission-free e-commerce logistics, Posti will begin to use renewable Neste MY diesel in its light delivery fleet. E-commerce continues its comprehensive growth, which makes it even more important to construct it on a sustainable foundation. The use of renewable fuels is the fastest way to reduce the greenhouse emissions generated by e-commerce logistics.
The volume of parcels delivered by Posti has increased sharply in the last few years, with millions of parcels delivered every week this spring. Previously, similar delivery volumes were only reached during the busiest periods of the year, such as Black Friday or Christmas. Posti’s own fleet covers roughly 40% of the parcel deliveries in Finland.
“The growth of e-commerce was already fast, but it has really exploded this spring. Both Posti and the online retailers have their roles to play in building the growth on a sustainable foundation, but consumers can also contribute by their sustainable purchase decisions,” says Arttu Hollmérus, Senior Vice President, Parcel and eCommerce business group at Posti.
An earlier survey by Posti stated that the emission differences between online stores and brick-and-mortar stores are mainly created in the last kilometer, i.e. on the way from the distribution center to the consumer. By calculation, delivering one parcel from a distribution center to a pickup point generates on average 600 g of greenhouse gas emissions, which corresponds to approximately five kilometers driven in a normal passenger car.
By adopting the renewable Neste MY diesel, Posti can influence this critical stage and reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3.8 million kg annually. This is the equivalent of removing nearly 1,300 cars from traffic. The effects will be particularly evident in the areas of Finland’s big cities, where most of the deliveries occur.
“In this day and age, our customers are very conscious of the ways in which they can make a difference in terms of the environment and take concrete action to help reduce the carbon footprint. Thanks to the fuel made of waste and scraps, our customers’ purchases will get delivered generating lower emissions. We believe that this will become increasingly clear in our customers’ choices down the line,” concludes Hollmérus.
Posti aims to achieve zero emissions in its own operations by 2030. The renewable Neste MY diesel is a concrete and immediate step toward this goal. Posti is also currently looking at ways for its transport partner network to switch to alternative fuels.
“Logistics companies play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and every climate act supports Finland’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2035. Posti is an important operator in the Finnish logistics sector, which is why it is so great to be able to support Posti in reaching its climate objectives. The renewable Neste MY diesel is a Finnish innovation that helps companies to immediately reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions – without changing their current engines or logistics,” says Joni Pihlström, Vice President, Marketing & Services, B2B Sales at Neste.
