Impact of E-Commerce on the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract Achieving sustainable development goals is the responsibility of all countries, both developed and developing. In 2015, 193 UN states adopted the 2030 Agenda with 17 SDGs to advance global well-being and sustainable consumption-production. At the same time, almost all countries are moving to a digital economy, with the core of e-commerce. The study aims to identify the connections between these two areas and analyze the effects that may arise as a result. The analysis showed that e-commerce is linked to 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. These effects are usually beneficial. However, to achieve the most positive impact, the interest of both Internet companies and consumers is required. Governments also push the digital economy, where e-commerce is rapidly expanding, led by China and accelerated by COVID-19. While concerns exist on packaging and last-mile emissions, online retail can reduce emissions, depending on consumer choices.