Background: E-commerce growth has intensified last-mile logistics, a stage often described as the final leg from a distribution hub to the customer and frequently cited as a disproportionate share of total delivery cost. This review evaluates operational strategies that improve efficiency while reducing emissions, framing the problem as a coupled cost–carbon optimization. Methods: We synthesize work on last-mile delivery, consolidation, micro-fulfillment, electrification, and cargo-bike deployment, and propose a decision framework linking service promises to routing and fleet choices. Results: Interventions that combine consolidation with low-emission modes can reduce emissions without sacrificing service, but they require urban infrastructure and governance of delivery windows and pickup options. Conclusions: Sustainable last-mile performance is achieved through network design (where to stock), operational control (how to route), and demand shaping (how customers choose speed and delivery format).
Mehmet A. Begen (Fri,) studied this question.