Using a carbon footprint calculator in transport & logistics
An important step towards a sustainable future
Why is it important to track and reduce emissions in transport and logistics? And how can a carbon footprint calculator be useful in this sector? Let’s delve into the concept of the logistics carbon footprint, focusing on how to calculate carbon emissions in the transport sector.
The carbon footprint – which is defined as the total greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, generated by human activities – is a topic of growing concern as people around the world become more conscious of the impact of emissions on the environment. Professionals in the transport and logistics sector are no exception, as the environmental impact of this sector, particularly concerning carbon emissions, is undeniable: the transportation sector currently accounts for roughly 22% of all energy-related emissions which, depending on the source, make up 14 to 16% of the total global emissions.
As businesses and individuals alike strive to quantify and understand their own environmental impact, carbon footprint calculators have become increasingly popular. By leveraging a carbon footprint calculator, businesses can gain valuable insights into their carbon emissions. Besides making it easier for businesses to communicate clearly with stakeholders about emissions reductions, carbon footprint calculators are also useful benchmarks for tracking progress and determining where more efforts and improvements are needed. Therefore, carbon footprint calculators are an important step towards transparency and making conscious efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.
Quantifying emissions
In general, getting started is not difficult. The input of just a few relevant figures is all it takes for carbon footprint calculators to estimate the amount of emissions generated. For instance, consider a logistics company that uses road transportation for nationwide deliveries. The company could calculate the carbon footprint of its trips or lanes in its simplest form by entering the point of origin, point of destination and the size of the shipment into the carbon footprint calculator. Adding fuel data (primary data) would produce a more accurate calculation. In both cases, the carbon footprint calculator shows the amount of carbon dioxide generated by each shipment.
However, in today’s complex global supply chains, calculating the carbon footprint in the transport sector often extends beyond road freight alone and beyond borders. A carbon footprint calculator can be used to analyse all modalities across the entire world, and these calculations are important. After all, they are a reflection of the company’s role in the broader context of global emissions and climate change. Therefore, if businesses want to benchmark their own performance against others or compare statistics from different regions, for example, they must pay careful attention to the details of the carbon footprint calculations to avoid false comparisons.
Carbon footprint calculations are a reflection of the company’s role in the broader context of global emissions and climate change.
Equipped to develop reduction strategies
By using a carbon footprint calculator and tracking all the relevant data, businesses can understand the emissions generated by their activities. This forms the basis for finding effective ways to reduce emissions – whether by adopting cleaner technologies, improving fuel efficiency or optimizing routes.
For example, using natural gas as an alternative to conventional vehicle fuel for road transportation could provide major benefits. Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are both clean energies that simultaneously reduce particulate, NOx and CO2 emissions compared to diesel, in particular when they are produced from biomethane. Natural-gas-fuelled vehicles are also quieter in operation, which is a real advantage in the case of urban and suburban deliveries – especially at night. Lastly, as of a certain milage, these fuels are more economical, with a lower cost price per mile than diesel.
Calculating and analysing the carbon footprint is not just about understanding the impact of emissions generated in the past. It is also about making changes for a sustainable future. Every business has the potential to reduce its carbon footprint. With the right technology, you will be better equipped to develop strategies to reduce your carbon footprint and work towards a more sustainable future.
However, in today’s complex global supply chains, calculating the carbon footprint in the transport sector often extends beyond road freight alone and beyond borders. A carbon footprint calculator can be used to analyse all modalities across the entire world, and these calculations are important. After all, they are a reflection of the company’s role in the broader context of global emissions and climate change. Therefore, if businesses want to benchmark their own performance against others or compare statistics from different regions, for example, they must pay careful attention to the details of the carbon footprint calculations to avoid false comparisons.
Start understanding your logistics carbon footprint now
For businesses in the transportation and logistics sectors, calculating the carbon footprint might seem like an intimidating challenge. But remember, every journey begins with a single step. By calculating and understanding your carbon footprint, you move one step closer to a world that recognizes and values sustainable practices. And ultimately, reducing your transport and logistics-related carbon footprint is not just good for the planet; it’s good for business, too. So start calculating your footprint today, and let’s move towards a more sustainable world together.
