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by Siyi Zhao

JD.com was named as a leading example for taking proactive actions to reach net zero in a roadmap whitepaper published by UN Global Compact in Beijing on July 27.

The report, Corporate Net Zero Pathway, cited JD.com’s efforts in replacing traditional fuel-combustion trucks with new energy vehicles to meet the environmental commitment. These new energy vehicles have been adopted in more than 50 cities across China, reducing at least 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Ms. Meng Liu, Head of UNGC in Asia-Pacific Network, speaks highly about JD.com effort in the course of reducing carbon emission. “We have noticed JD’s respective endeavors almost in every fronts of its businesses with ambitious and realistic practice in this regard. That is exactly the reason we include JD’s case in our report.” JD’s efforts in this report is stated under the topics of logistics, warehouses, packaging and reducing electricity use in office buildings.

JD.com has also made efforts to strengthen the use of renewable energy in its facilities. The company built and installed a photovoltaic power generation system on the roof of its Shanghai Asia No. 1 logistics park, which has significantly reduced emissions since it entered operations in June 2018. Furthermore, JD plans to team up with global partners to create the world’s largest ecosystem of rooftop photovoltaic power generation by 2030, creating a photovoltaic power generation area of more than 200 million square meters.

In addition, the report stressed JD.com’s effort in reducing the total amount of packaging materials used and selecting recyclable raw materials in the production of packaging materials, which is one of the highest-emitting activities along the value chain.

JD used recyclable packing boxes more than 10 million times in over 30 cities by 2020, each of which can be reused more than 20 times. At the end of 2020, JD.com has accumulated 16 million uses of reusable boxes, achieving a total reduction of 180 million disposable foam boxes. By innovating in package design with thinner tape and adopting electronic express sheets, JD Logistics saves 400 million meters of tape and more than 13,000 tons of paper each year.

Instead of playing solo, JD.com has worked with partners such as P&G to ship items to customers in their original packaging, reducing the need for additional packaging material and minimizing touchpoints required to reach the customer. Through its collaboration with consumer goods companies like Coca-Cola, P&G and Unilever, JD.com has developed a used plastic recycling system in which plastic is picked up from JD consumers and then sent to respective recycling locations by JD logistics to reduce emissions caused by plastic production.

As the report pointed out, global warming has been posing a formidable challenge to the earth due to the ever-growing increase in carbon emissions driven by human activities. A JD.com spokesperson made a remarks after viewing the report. “It has become an essential obligation for everyone to take actions without hesitation. JD.com will make constant efforts to build a lower carbon and greener supply chain, making its unique contribution to achieve China’s carbon neutrality goal.”

JD Logistics, which has joined Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), has announced its goal of reducing carbon emission by 50 percent in 2030 comparing with the emission of 2019, which is significantly ahead of the timetable set by Chinese government, in which China will reach emission peak by 2030.

(zhaosiyi5@jd.com)

by Vivian Yang

On July 21st, JD Logistics delivered over 540 boxes of food and mineral water from its nearby warehouses to Tielu train station in Zhengzhou, Henan province, where hundreds of passengers have been stranded on the railway for more than 40 hours due to the ongoing massive floods in the region.

The train K226/7 left Zhengzhou headed for Lanzhou of Gansu province in the afternoon of July 19th, but service was suspended not long after departure due to the flooding. The ferocious storm cut off all rescue channels around the station, posing grim challenges to railway staff attempting to provide necessities for the stranded passengers.

JD Logistics’ local team contacted station head Yabin Zhang shortly after learning what was happening, and quickly sourced and delivered supplies from its warehouses close to the station, providing much needed relief for the hungry and tired passengers.

“Thank you so much,” wrote Zhang in his Wechat communication with the JD courier in charge of this mission. “I just want to express our gratitude on behalf of all the passengers on K227.”

On the same day, another batch of rescue supplies from JD’s local warehouses were sent to designated hospitals in Henan. It is estimated that there are over 5,000 medical workers and patients stranded at the No.1 Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and 4,000 at the No. 5 Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. JD’s timely delivery of relief supplies has greatly alleviated their urgent needs.

JD is China’s largest retailer with an extensive logistics infrastructure including a network of around 1,000 warehouses across the country. Since 2012, the company has abided by a rule that if a disaster happens anywhere in the country, the nearest JD warehouse should immediately donate and deliver its goods to meet the emergency demands. The manager in charge of the warehouse is entitled to make such a decision on the ground without waiting for approval from upper management.

In order to reduce operating pressures for merchants from Henan on JD’s platform, the company also announced 10 supportive measures on July 22nd to help tide them over during this difficult time while maintaining business operation. These measures include a number of operating fee exemptions on JD.com, including exemption from penalties for product delivery delays, and offering merchants employer liability insurance at no cost, and more.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)

by Vivian Yang

JD.com initiated emergency support for the central China province of Henan on July 21^st as heavy downpours continued to lash the region.

Over 20 trucks of rescue supplies donated by JD and transported from JD Logistics’ closest warehouse arrived in Henan on the second day of the heavy rainfall, including raincoats, rubber shoes, spades, instant noodles, mineral water and more.

JD Retail launched a dedicated service hotline for customers and merchants in order to provide emergency goods coordination.

JD Health opened a free 24-hour hotline for local people’s medical consultation, and sourced and donated healthcare supplies for disinfection, epidemic prevention, mosquito prevention, treatment of wounds and anti-inflammation.

AllianzJD, JD’s insurance arm and a joint venture with German’s Allianz, has also opened a green channel for 24-hour claims settlement and rescue services for clients in Henan.

Many touching scenes of JD couriers have been captured by Internet users as they lend their hands in helping the local community in escorting children and elderly people wading in the water, or pushing cars out of the deep puddles.

In 2012, JD.com’s founder Richard Liu announced a company regulation stating that if a disaster happens anywhere in the country, the nearest JD warehouse should immediately donate and transport its goods to meet the emergency demands and that the management of any such warehouse would not need to obtain prior approval.

(vivian.yang@jd.com)