Accenture Take on Last Mile Logistics & Effect on Carbon Emissions

Admins at Accenture have talked recently about the rise of the last mile logistics culture and craze, comments on its impact on Global carbon emission.

Last mile logistics has always been a big headache for ecommerce companies. However, post-lockdown, the customers are not only expecting the delivery at their home, but the delivery on the same day as well. So, the pressure for the last mile delivery has never been bulkier at the ecommerce company. 

At the same time, focusing on net-zero carbon emission is the other challenge for firms when ensuring a smooth supply chain. Contradictory demands have been bothering the logistics and ecommerce companies for the last decade. 

Sarah Banks, Global Freight and Logistics Lead at Accenture, has given numerous statements on the concern. According to the same, keeping the inventory closer to the customers is one of the best options used by the different ecommerce and logistics companies. The most significant benefit is that when the inventory is closer to the customers, it can be delivered using environmentally friendly vehicles such as bicycles or e-transport. At the very same time, it even allows the firm to deliver the product very same day to the customer. 

Sarah Banks has also claimed that the overall supply chain causes 60% of total carbon emissions globally and is a significant element in the fight against climate change. Keeping the inventory closer to the customers and delivering it to their doorsteps using e-vehicles or bicycles will reduce the same carbon emission by 26% in Chicago, Sydney, and London. 

Moreover, a brief talk about the use of drones and robots for last-mile delivery also took part in the conversation. According to Sarah, robots or drones will play a tiny role in the last mile delivery concept. Moreover, using drones and robots for the same depends on factors such as customer preferences, regulatory approvals, last-mile infrastructure availability, etc. 

In the end, the insight came to different techniques that can be used to make last-mile delivery more sustainable. Local fulfillment, collaboration, incentivizing greener choices, Rethink asset use, harnessing data and analytics, etc., are the best solutions to ensure last-mile delivery without causing significant negative impacts on the environment.