eBay Cuts Shipping Emissions 21% With Carrier Partners

eBay just showed the world how to make online shopping cleaner without owning a single delivery truck.

The resale giant published a detailed climate transition plan this week that tackles its biggest environmental challenge head-on. Shipping products for 134 million sellers accounts for 84 percent of the company's total carbon footprint.

Rather than shrug at emissions it doesn't directly control, eBay turned shipping partners into climate allies. The company now requires carriers like DHL, UPS, and FedEx to set verified carbon reduction goals and report progress annually.

The results speak volumes. Since 2019, eBay has already cut shipping emissions by 21 percent. The company aims to reach 27.5 percent by 2030 and an ambitious 90 percent reduction across all operations by 2045.

Chief Sustainability Officer Renee Morin says the plan connects climate action directly to business success. When companies show how decarbonization reduces risk and creates value, partners lean in.

The strategy works because major carriers are already investing billions in cleaner operations. FedEx committed to buying only electric vehicles starting in 2030. Both UPS and DHL plan to power 30 percent of air operations with sustainable aviation fuel before 2035.

eBay published a carrier engagement guide in 2024 spelling out minimum expectations for shipping partners. Every logistics company must now set emissions targets certified by independent organizations and report annually on renewable energy, sustainable packaging, and efficiency improvements.

The company also promotes ground shipping over air freight and expands local delivery options whenever possible. These practical changes reduce emissions while often saving money and speeding delivery times.

The Ripple Effect

eBay's approach creates a positive feedback loop across the entire secondhand economy. When the world's largest resale platform demands cleaner shipping, carriers invest more in electric vehicles and sustainable fuel. Those improvements then benefit every business and consumer using those same delivery networks.

The climate plan also acknowledges that extreme weather threatens shipping partners through flooding, heat, and natural disasters. By collaborating on solutions now, eBay and carriers build resilience together while protecting the planet.

About one quarter of companies reporting emissions have published transition plans, but that number is growing fast. eBay's transparent roadmap shows other businesses exactly how to tackle emissions they don't directly control.

The 30-year-old marketplace proves that buying secondhand items doesn't just give products a second life. With the right partnerships, it can help give the planet a healthier future too.