A new study by FedEx has found that 80% of SMEs based in the Asia-Pacific region take sustainability into account when trading with Europe.
The study, which surveyed businesses and consumers in the region on cross-border trade, found that sustainability is playing an increasingly larger role in logistics decisions.
More than 55% of SMEs in Malaysia and Indonesia say that they prioritise sustainability in their supply chain choices, while across the Asia-Pacific region, four fifths (81%) of APAC consumers say that that prefer dealing with business that ‘operate more sustainably’ than their competitors.
In addition, some 84% of consumers are pushing businesses to develop more environmentally-friendly online shopping options, while four in ten would be wiling to pay more for sustainable packaging.
“We are seeing sustainability shifting from a compliance checkbox to a key driver of growth, resilience, and differentiation in global commerce,” said Salil Chari, regional president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.
Chari added that the group is “committed” to supporting this shift, as it strives to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2040, “We are innovating our services, optimising our network, and providing smarter digital tools to help businesses turn sustainability ambitions into action, enabling lower-emission shipping decisions that strengthen competitiveness and can reduce environmental impact.”
Electric vehicles
Elsewhere, FedEx Japan has announced the expansion of its electric vehicle fleet, with 17 new electric trucks added to its network, each of which has a payload capacity of 1.5 tonnes.
The new Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter and Isuzu ELF EV trucks will reduce tailpipe emissions by approximately 3.3 metric tonnes per vehicle per year, when compared with diesel equivalents on planned route distances and usage patterns, FedEx Japan said.
‘Reliable service’
“Our business strategy focuses on delivering reliable service to customers, and sustainability and efficiency are integral to how we operate,” commented Kei Alan Kubota, managing director of FedEx Japan. “These new EVs will reduce emissions on high‑density urban routes while helping us maintain the speed and quality our customers expect. We will continue to accelerate the adoption of low‑emission technologies and contribute to cleaner air for local communities.”
The vehicles are now in operation on parcel pickup and delivery routes in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Osaka, the company said.
Other initiatives launched by FedEx to support its customers’ sustainable efforts include FedEx Sustainability Insights, a cloud-based platform that provides customers with access to historical carbon emissions data for eligible shipments across the FedEx network. Read more here and here.
