Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) says sustainability is becoming a defining factor in Asia Pacific trade, with new survey results showing that 80% of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the region now consider environmental concerns when doing business with Europe — a shift led by Southeast Asian markets where more than half of companies in Malaysia and Indonesia prioritize greener supply‑chain choices.

Building on this shift, the findings suggest that sustainability is no longer viewed as a secondary consideration but is becoming embedded in day‑to‑day supply‑chain planning. FedEx notes that both consumers and SMEs in the region increasingly expect cross‑border partners to demonstrate environmental responsibility, influencing choices around packaging, transportation modes and logistics providers.

FedEx said over 55% of SMEs in Malaysia and Indonesia prioritizing sustainability in their supply chain choices. This highlights rising awareness and action on environmental issues among businesses and consumers in the region.

Consumers are driving demand for sustainable practices, with 84% of APAC consumers pushing businesses to develop eco-friendly online shopping options.

Environmental responsibility is emerging as a clear differentiator in the region, with 81% of APAC consumers preferring companies that demonstrate more visible sustainable practices than competitors offering similar products.

And while product quality and competitive pricing remain key preferences for online shoppers, nearly four in ten APAC consumers are willing to pay premium prices for sustainable packaging.

FedEx noted that environmental concerns are increasingly shaping how companies operate, with many finding that sustainability is no longer a nice to have, but a must-have for companies to stay competitive in the digital marketplace and as more consumers factor environmental values into their purchasing decisions, businesses are recognizing that these preferences can have a direct effect on sales and long‑term competitiveness.

"We are seeing sustainability shifting from a compliance checkbox to a key driver of growth, resilience, and differentiation in global commerce," said Salil Chari, regional president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.

"At FedEx, we are committed to supporting this shift, aiming for carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. We are innovating our services, optimizing our network, and providing smarter digital tools to help businesses turn sustainability ambitions into action, enabling lower-emission shipping decisions that strengthen competitiveness and can reduce environmental impact."

More sustainable logistics

FedEx is responding to rising demand for lower‑impact logistics by putting more resources into technologies and infrastructure aimed at reducing emissions and improving efficiency.

The company has also introduced tools to give shippers clearer visibility into their environmental footprint. FedEx® Sustainability Insights, a cloud‑based platform, uses near‑real‑time network data to estimate CO2e emissions for individual shipments and full shipping accounts. 

On the aviation side, FedEx said it recently began using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Chicago O’Hare and Miami International Airports, marking another step in reducing aviation-related emissions within its global air network. 

In the last mile, FedEx is transforming urban delivery through fleet electrification. Electric vehicles (EVs) are now deployed across several APAC markets—including Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and China. 

Last year, FedEx has announced the expansion of its EV fleet in Hong Kong for parcel pickup and delivery operations to better navigate dense urban environments, reducing emissions while improving delivery efficiency.

As cross‑border trade continues to evolve, the company says it will continue working toward faster, more efficient and lower‑impact shipping options that support customers' needs while reducing environmental impact.

The online survey was conducted by Milieu Insight in September 2025 across 13 Asia Pacific markets including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The survey gathered insights from 850 Asia Pacific consumers and 850 SMEs who actively trade with Europe.