According to the Federal Environment Agency, the product itself and its manufacture are decisive for the carbon footprint when shopping – and less whether customers order online or buy in the shop around the corner. Up to three quarters of greenhouse gas emissions are produced during production, the authority announced on Monday, citing a study it had commissioned.

Durable, environmentally friendly manufactured Trade and transport therefore only account for between one and ten percent of the greenhouse gases that are generated in the life cycle of a product – including the Example of the customer’s journey by car or delivery. “Whether we shop online or in stores is not so important for our carbon footprint,” said UBA President Dirk Messner. The biggest adjustment screw, however, are durable products that are manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner. “At best, I can get this in the shop around the corner, which I can easily reach by bike or on foot,” added Messner.

The study According to the online trade, it is primarily the additional packaging and the “last mile”, that is, delivery to the customer, that reduce the ecological balance. But more environmental protection is possible – for example, if products are only sent in their original packaging or reusable packaging is used that can be returned empty. According to this, you can post packaging up to 370. 000 tons and up to 45 Save percent garbage.

Hardly Ecolabel or shelf life information A second study for the UBA came to the conclusion that until now eco-labels have not played a particularly important role in online trading and that there is comparatively little information about repairability or updates for digital devices give. It is different with information on energy consumption, since this is mandatory. The UBA recommended that information on the manufacturer’s guarantee as well as parameters for the average service life of the products be made mandatory.

(kbe)