Every year, the Black Friday generates unprecedented logistical pressure. Between delivery peaks, rising CO₂ emissions, and strain on vehicle fleets, the environmental impact is significant. Here is an overview of trends observed in France, Europe, and Italy, along with possible ways to reduce this impact.
Why does logistics surge during Black Friday?
Behind every “must-have deal” lies a logistics chain under extreme pressure. Online shopping generates extra packaging, passage through hubs and warehouses, and thousands of kilometers travelled before the final delivery.
- In France, according to La Poste, around 1.5 million parcels per day are delivered under normal conditions—a number that can reach up to 3 million in November and December. In 2024, 100 million Colissimo parcels were sorted and delivered during this period [1]. [1].
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In Italy, according to the 2024 Delivery Index by Netcomm and Poste Italiane, daily volumes can exceed 5 million parcels per day, especially after Black Friday and during the week before Christmas.ël.
Sector data shows that an increase in demand automatically leads to more trips, more engine time, and a sharp increase in fuel consumption. During Black Friday, this surge in activity can result in an increase in CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption of up to 6% compared to periods before and after the peak [2].
Peak consumption during Black Friday
Black Friday 2024 clearly illustrates the consumption surge that weighs heavily on the logistics sector during this period. In 2024, 80 % of French consumers made purchases, with a strong presence of 18-34 year-olds (83 %) [3].
Shopping intensified both in stores and online: 12 million visitors were recorded in shopping centers on Saturday, November 30, 2024, while online transactions increased by 11 %, with 70 % made via smartphone. Despite the surge in volumes, total spending fell by 4 %, reflecting more strategic bargain-seeking by consumers.
During this period, e-commerce giants remained the main beneficiaries. In France, Amazon attracted 8.6 million visits, far ahead of Cdiscount, Fnac.com, and AliExpress (approximately 2 million visits each).
Some sectors saw explosive growth, particularly home goods, which generated €808 million—an increase of 149% compared with a typical week. These trends confirm that Black Friday remains a major shopping event and a significant driver of logistical overload.
Increase in transport-related CO₂ emissions during Black Friday week
Across Europe, road freight serving warehouses and shops generates over 1 million tonnes of CO₂ during Black Friday week—+94 % compared to an average week [4]. The additional pollution produced in just a single week is equivalent to the annual emissions of all trucks in Bulgaria, or roughly 3,500 round trips between Paris and New York.
In Italy, up to 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ are emitted over the weeks surrounding Black Friday, as trucks circulate intensively the country to meet both online and in-store demand.
Challenges and issues in the logistics sector
The sector faces several challenges, including:
- Managing extreme demand peaks;
- Limited electrification of transport fleets;
- Complexity tracking Scope 3 emissions.
Data from logistics partners are often incomplete, actual routes differ from forecasts, and the lack of integrated measurement systems leads to errors in environmental reporting. To overcome these limitations, companies can rely on internationally recognised methodologies such as the GHG Protocol.
Guidelines like the GHG Protocol – Technical Guidance for Scope 3 and the GHG Protocol – Corporate Standard provide practical best practices for calculating transport emissions. They allow the use of different methodological approaches, such as sampling-based extrapolation, sector-specific estimates, emission calculations from financial data with monetary emission factors, and statistical extrapolation based on a representative sample of suppliers with similar characteristics.
These tools help companies to obtain a reliable view of their impact even when complete data are unavailable, ensuring transparency and accuracy in reporting.
Strategies to reduce the logistics sector’s environmental impact
Many solutions already exist: route optimisation, delivery consolidation, and the adoption of electric or hybrid vehicles. AI-driven data analysis also allows companies to anticipate peaks and reduce engine idling time.
Interest in sustainable supply chains and “green” last-mile delivery options is also growing, as does the need for specialised consultants and digital tools to accurately calculate Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. At ClimateSeed, we can help organisations in measuring and reducing their environmental impact, contact us to learn more about our support.
Over the next 3 to 5 years, the logistics sector could adopt a more sustainable model by shortening supply chains through local suppliers sourcing, integrating ESG criteria into partner selection, and optimising packaging, order preparation, and warehouse operations to reduce storage times.
Conclusion
Logistics has an even greater environmental impact during Black Friday. Accurately measuring transport emissions is the first step to developing effective reduction strategies.
Although seasonal peaks inevitably increase consumer consumption, they also offer opportunities for innovation: from intelligent data use to the transition to sustainable fleets, technology can guide the shift toward more efficient logistics. The sector faces a historic challenge, but also a tangible opportunity to drive the transition to a low-emission economy.
