What is ISO 14083 and who does it apply to?
ISO 14083 is a global standard for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from the operation of transport chains of passengers and freight. It was first introduced in early 2023 to standardize how companies calculate transport emissions, and later that year, the GLEC Framework was revised to ensure it complies with ISO 14083.
This version of the GLEC Framework (v3.1), developed by the Smart Freight Centre, helps companies to be ISO 14083 compliant by translating the ISO requirements into comprehensive language in an accessible PDF format.
ISO 14083 applies to any company that has transport emissions, but it is mainly directed at shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers (LSPs) who provide transport and logistics services.
The difference between ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework
ISO 14083 is the formal international standard for calculating emissions, whereas the GLEC Framework acts as a practical guide to help companies implement it.
Does ISO 14083 replace any previous standards?
ISO 14083 is the first universal method for logistics emissions accounting, replacing EN 16258. Unlike this previous standard, ISO 14083 introduces well-to-tank emissions into the calculation and allows companies to choose their own emissions factors, provided the source is credible.
What greenhouse gas emissions are covered by ISO 14083?
The GHG protocol classifies greenhouse gas emissions into three categories—scope 1, 2 and 3—which we explain in this blog on calculating CO2 emissions. ISO 14083 doesn’t use the same terminology, instead categorizing emissions as either direct emissions (equivalent to scope 1) or indirect emissions (equivalent to scope 2 or 3).
Direct emissions are emitted from sources that you own or control e.g. emissions from trucks that you use to transport customers’ goods.
Indirect emissions can be emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heat or cooling, or emissions from assets or activities that you don’t own or control but that you’re directly responsible for e.g. emissions from your employees’ commutes to your office.
Both direct and indirect emissions types are relevant for transport and logistics companies, as they’ll need to calculate and report on their total transport emissions for their own business, as well as providing this emissions data to their clients for their reporting.
Some companies are required to report emissions under regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) or similar regulations, while others may opt into voluntary standards like the voluntary standard, VSME. You can read more about which regulation or standard is more relevant to you in this blog, which compares the CSRD and VSME.
How to make your emissions calculation comply with ISO 14083
The easiest way to comply is by using carbon accounting software that is aligned with the GLEC Framework and the ISO 14083 standard. BigMile is designed with these standards in mind and is an accredited partner of the Smart Freight Centre.
But using BigMile doesn’t only help you comply with ISO 14083, it also makes collecting, measuring, and reporting on your greenhouse gas emissions much faster and simpler. And this brings real benefits to your transport or logistics business, including:
- Identify cost-efficient ways to reduce your carbon emissions
- Win more tenders and retain existing clients by showing a clear commitment to emissions reduction
- Transparently provide emissions data to your clients, partners, and investors
- Hassle-free compliance with the CSRD, VSME, CSDDD and other sustainability-related requirements.
Want to learn more about getting started with carbon accounting? Book a demo with one of our sustainability experts.
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