Scope 3 emissions of Ceconomy AG from transport and distribution 2019-2022

In the financial year 2021/22, Ceconomy AG (MediaMarkt and Saturn) saw total carbon emissions increase by 21.2 percent compared to the previous year. The latest sustainability report indicated that the consumer electronics company generated 517.9 thousand metric tons of CO₂ from transport and distribution of products to stores and customers. The significant increase is due to a different reporting method that now includes activities of regional distribution hubs. Ceconomy AG is a leading consumer electronics retail company in Europe generating most of its business revenue in German-speaking countries.

Why are retailers’ emissions increasing?

Despite their efforts against climate change, most big retail organizations have not successfully decarbonized their order supply chain, on the contrary. Retailers’ emissions increased not because companies were less efficient but simply because they sold more products and services, pushed by the post-pandemic surge. On a global scale, online salesshowed a steady increase, and the trend is expected to stick. In Europe, where recession and price inflation hit consumer spending the most in 2022, e-commerce revenue is expected to grow again in 2023.

Beyond emissions

To meet sustainability goals, e-commerce giants operate differently than small companies, as they rely on completely different logistics networks. According to a 2023 survey carried out in the United States, only one in ten small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focused on carbon emission offsetting, whereas 46 percent of them rather prioritized waste reduction.