Tracking carbon emissions is nothing new, and standardized methodologies have made it easier—but not all calculators are created equal. With so many options available, how do you decide which one works best for your operations? Here’s an overview of a legacy emissions calculator, EcoTransIT World, and 5 alternatives that bring additional capabilities to the table.
What is a carbon emissions calculator?
Carbon emissions calculators use manually inputted or automatically collected data to calculate the total CO2 emissions emitted from a given activity. The calculation method should be in line with industry standards, such as the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083.
Emissions calculators help companies to monitor, measure and analyze their emissions to identify improvements and comply with national and EU regulations such as the CSRD. Transport and logistics companies need emissions calculators designed for their unique needs, including a breakdown of their emissions per transport leg, per client etc.
The best carbon emissions calculators have capabilities to dive deeper into the emissions analytics, benchmark performance, easily share data with clients, and access insights on how to reduce their emissions.
EcoTransIT World software overview
EcoTransIT World is a Germany-based organization that aims to continuously develop and harmonize the emission calculation methodology for the global transport sector. Its emissions calculator enables transport and logistics companies to calculate and optimize their emissions and energy consumption.
As an API-first solution, EcoTransIT World has a range of APIs suitable for semi semi-automatic transport list calculations in CSV format to fully automatic solutions based on a Soap XML Web Service (WSDL). It is accredited by Smart Freight Centre to be in accordance with the GLEC Framework, and also meets the requirements of EN 16258 and the GHG protocol.
The company also offers consultancy services for analyzing and reporting on customer-specific transport data. The organization is funded by annual license fees from its shippers, forwarders and carriers, with fees based on either the company’s revenue or the number of calculations carried out.
While TransIT’s calculation methodology is well-regarded by the industry, it’s mainly suited to logistics and transport companies who are looking for a simple straight-forward calculator.
Top 5 emissions calculator alternatives
EcoTransIT provides an easy-to-use emissions calculator, however many transport and logistics companies are opting for more comprehensive carbon accounting and analytics platforms that help them visualize their emissions data, share reports with clients, and identify ways to reduce their emissions.
Here’s a list of 5 alternative emissions calculators that are in line with the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083, while also provide extra capabilities:
- BigMile
- Searoutes
- Loginex
- Cape Groep
- Pledge
We’ll now provide an overview of each solution, and highlight their key features.
1. BigMile
BigMile goes far beyond a simple emissions calculator by providing carbon accounting software that help logistics and transport companies easily calculate, analyze, and report on multi-modal, supply chain-related CO2 emissions.
With BigMile’s platform, shippers, carriers, and LSPs can gain greater visibility into emissions across their supply chains, exceed customer expectations with detailed shipment-level reports, take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint, and stay compliant with CSRD and other sustainability regulations.
Equipped with advanced analytics, the platform enables users to analyze historical emissions data and explore carbon reduction strategies through scenario modeling. This means that companies can pinpoint lower-emission transport routes and present them as options to their customers—cutting overall transport emissions while enhancing customer satisfaction.
Many large logistics service providers (LSPs) are already using BigMile to improve the accuracy of their emissions reporting and reduce their carbon footprint, including Melis Logistics.
Nick Broekhuysen explains how BigMile helped give Melis Logistics a competitive edge:
"We really wanted to stay ahead of the curve, so when these questions come up, we’re ready. That way, we can give ourselves and our customers clear insights into our CO2 emissions. That’s a big plus of using carbon accounting software like BigMile."
Highlights:
- Calculates multi-modal transport emissions in line with ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework.
- Consolidates CO2 emissions data across entire supply chains for in-depth analysis
- Easy and accessible data import
- Interactive and customizable dashboard
- Provides ‘what-if’ scenario modeling options
- Supports CSRD compliance with automated reporting and tracking.
- Multiple partnerships with software providers like Yellowstar and DeliveryMatch.
- Suited for LSPs, shippers, and carriers
2. Searoutes
Searoutes offers a carbon emissions calculator tailored for shippers, logistics providers, and freight forwarders. The platform uses modern algorithms and data sets to accurately calculate emissions and optimize transport routes.
As an API-first solution, Searoutes integrates with its clients’ existing systems, enabling them to compare transport modes and choose routes with lower emissions. For ocean freight companies, it has a vessel API that provides real-time visibility of containers or vessels at sea.
Searoutes supports compliance with CSRD and other sustainability regulations, but it’s best suited for shippers, logistics providers, and freight forwarders that prefer embedding a carbon emissions calculator directly into their own systems via API rather than relying on standalone software with extensive dashboards and reporting features.
3. Loginex
Developed by IT company Visma Connect BV and consultancy firm UC Group, Loginex helps logistics companies meet EU emissions regulations. The Loginex platform uses industry standards to calculate emissions per shipment, per customer, per transport mode, and per vehicle.
Loginex integrates with logistics operations to provide detailed CO2 emissions tracking and automated reporting. It also provides tools for supply chain benchmarking and optimization, helping businesses minimize their carbon footprint.
While Loginex helps LSPs, carriers, shippers, and consultants to comply with emissions regulations, companies seeking deeper transport optimization insights and scenario modeling may find other solutions more suitable.
4. Cape Groep
Cape Groep provides a CO2 Calculator Tool that helps companies calculate and analyze their carbon emissions. However, Cape Groep’s specialty is low-code solutions that streamline operations and increase the efficiency of supply chains.
Cape Groep’s solutions for the transport and logistics sector address a range of logistics needs, from transport planning and order management to warehouse optimization and compliance tracking.
The CO2 Calculator Tool may suffice for transport and logistics companies looking for a simple, easy-to-use calculator, but companies looking for automated reporting, detailed analysis, and insights to reduce emissions would be better equipped with an alternate solution.
5. Pledge
Pledge provides carbon accounting software designed to help logistics service providers (LSPs) and shippers calculate their emissions. Built with an API-first approach, Pledge integrates directly into supply chain operations, following industry-recognized methodologies for emissions tracking and reporting.
Beyond emissions tracking, Pledge also offers tools for setting reduction targets and access to a carbon offsetting marketplace where companies can purchase packages to offset their emissions.
Pledge offers two subscription plans for LSPs, including a set number of shipment legs with a per transport leg fee beyond that limit. Its solution for shippers is still in beta testing, making it a better fit for smaller shippers exploring carbon accounting rather than those needing a fully developed system.
Why BigMile is the best carbon accounting software for calculating transport emissions
EcoTransIT World helps transport and logistics get started with calculating their emissions, but in today’s world—with increased reporting, pressure to provide environmentally-friendly transport options, and the need to reduce emissions—a more advanced carbon accounting software is needed.
And when it comes to carbon accounting software, BigMile is the platform of choice for 130+ software and supply chain partners. Our platform helps you to accurately measure emissions, get insights on how to reduce your emissions, provide customized reports to your clients, and comply with regulations like the CSRD.
Whether you’re transitioning from time-consuming spreadsheet calculations or just beginning your emissions tracking journey, we simplify carbon accounting. This means you can stay focused on delivering value to your clients instead of spending hours on manual calculations and analysis.
Additionally, we collaborate with top software providers to integrate our Emissions API into their platforms, allowing businesses to manage carbon accounting within the same systems they already rely on for daily operations.
Are you ready to get started with carbon accounting? Join 300+ logistics and transport companies like RICOH, Murata, and Vanguard Logistics who are using BigMile to calculate their carbon footprint. Simply book a demo and we’ll give you a personalized tour of our platform and how it can help you.
