Modelling greenhouse gas emissions of Q-commerce vs E-commerce logistics operations: A simulation and conceptual framework

IF 6.8 3区管理学 Q1 BUSINESS

Electronic Commerce Research and Applications Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-09-23 DOI:10.1016/j.elerap.2026.101640

Jay Daniel, Jehan Zaib, Harshal Pandurang Gund

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The rapid expansion of E-commerce and ultra-fast Q-commerce grocery services has heightened concerns about the environmental sustainability of last-mile logistics. Although previous research identifies last-mile delivery as a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in online grocery fulfilment, there is limited empirical analysis systematically comparing the emission profiles of E-commerce and Q-commerce models. This study addresses this gap by quantifying and comparing GHG emissions for both fulfilment systems through an integrated analytical and simulation-based methodology. Deterministic mathematical models estimate emissions across upstream and downstream logistics stages, while Monte Carlo simulations capture variability in delivery distances, vehicle utilisation, and order characteristics. Q-commerce emissions are benchmarked against established E-commerce emission values from secondary data to facilitate comparative assessment.

The results indicate that GHG emissions per item are substantially higher in Q-commerce (0.626 kg CO₂ eq) compared to E-commerce (0.252 kg CO₂ eq). Last-mile logistics account for approximately 99.46 per cent of total emissions in Q-commerce and 80.16 per cent in E-commerce, confirming downstream delivery as the primary emission hotspot. These findings demonstrate that ultra-fast fulfilment models impose significantly greater environmental burdens than conventional E-commerce and underscore the necessity for structured organisational strategies to mitigate emissions associated with rapid delivery operations.

In response, this study introduces the GHG Emission Strategy (GES) framework, grounded in the Input-Process-Output model, to link emission drivers, strategic levers and sustainability outcomes. The framework guides retailers in reducing Q-commerce emissions while extending the theoretical understanding of systematic carbon management and sustainable last-mile logistics across retail fulfilment systems.

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Q-commerce与电子商务物流运营的温室气体排放建模：一个模拟和概念框架

电子商务和超快Q-commerce杂货服务的迅速扩张，加剧了人们对最后一英里物流环境可持续性的担忧。尽管之前的研究表明，最后一英里的配送是在线杂货配送中温室气体（GHG）排放的重要来源，但系统比较电子商务和Q-commerce模式的排放概况的实证分析有限。本研究通过综合分析和基于模拟的方法对两种履行系统的温室气体排放进行量化和比较，从而解决了这一差距。确定性数学模型估计上游和下游物流阶段的排放，而蒙特卡罗模拟捕捉交货距离、车辆利用率和订单特征的变化。Q-commerce排放的基准是根据二手数据确定的电子商务排放值，以便进行比较评估。结果表明，与电子商务（0.252 kg CO2 eq）相比，Q-commerce的每项温室气体排放量（0.626 kg CO2 eq）明显更高。最后一英里物流约占Q-commerce总排放量的99.46%，占电子商务总排放量的80.16%，确认下游交付是主要的排放热点。这些发现表明，超快速配送模式比传统电子商务带来更大的环境负担，并强调有必要制定结构化的组织战略，以减少与快速配送业务相关的排放。为此，本研究引入了以投入-过程-产出模型为基础的温室气体排放战略（GES）框架，将排放驱动因素、战略杠杆和可持续性结果联系起来。该框架指导零售商减少Q-commerce排放，同时扩展对整个零售履行系统的系统性碳管理和可持续最后一英里物流的理论理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Electronic Commerce Research and Applications 工程技术-计算机：跨学科应用

CiteScore

10.10

自引率

8.30%

发文量

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Electronic Commerce Research and Applications aims to create and disseminate enduring knowledge for the fast-changing e-commerce environment. A major dilemma in e-commerce research is how to achieve a balance between the currency and the life span of knowledge. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications will contribute to the establishment of a research community to create the knowledge, technology, theory, and applications for the development of electronic commerce. This is targeted at the intersection of technological potential and business aims.