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Do you receive CO2e data from several of your transport providers? If so, you probably also receive the data in several different formats and with several different calculation methods.
There are several ways to measure CO2e emissions, and your carriers will all do so in their own way.
To help you gain insight into your carriers' calculation methods, here are five key questions you can ask them.
Which calculation model is used?
There are several calculation models for calculating CO2e for transport, such as:
- ISO 14083
- EcoTransIT
- GLEC Framework
- GHG Protocol
It is a good start to find out which model your carriers use, as this affects the subsequent data points.
Which data points are included? (And which are not?)
The different calculation models include different data points.
Once you know the models of the carriers, you can ask which data points they include and which they do not.
This is important for understanding the basis for their CO2e calculations.
The next questions deal with some of the most important data points.
How is the distance measured?
How distance is measured can have a significant impact on CO2e data:
- Is the distance measured from postcode to postcode or from address to address?
- Is the distance measured as a direct line or along the actual route, sea route or air route?
How transport operators measure distance has a significant impact on overall CO2e data.
What is their utilisation rate?
Utilisation rate, also known as load efficiency or load factor, indicates how full the carrier's load is on average:
- 100% = always fully loaded
- 0% = always completely empty load
If this is included, the carrier has either measured it themselves or used data from a generic source.
The carrier may start with a load factor of 100%, but each time they deliver a pallet without receiving anything in return, the utilisation rate will decrease.
A utilisation rate above 90% is therefore unlikely, so be critical of the carrier's data here.
Is the data specified in WTW or TTW?
This is a point where it is often possible to make the total CO2e emissions appear lower.
WTW and TTW refer to how much of the fuel cycle is included in the calculations.
- WTW (Well-to-Wheel): This takes into account all CO2e emissions, from the moment the oil is pumped from underground until the package is delivered.
- TTW (Tank-to-Wheel): This only takes into account fuel emissions from the moment the tank is filled until the parcel is delivered.
WTW is therefore the most accurate method, but by reporting in TTW, you get lower overall CO2e data.
Therefore, please pay attention to WTW and TTW, as they have a significant impact on the CO2e data you receive.
Challenges associated with different methods
Once you know the answers to these questions, you may find that your carriers' data is calculated in different ways.
This makes it difficult to compare emissions on the same basis and make proactive choices regarding CO2e.
To compare CO2e data across carriers, it may be advantageous to calculate emissions yourself. This ensures a consistent calculation method and thus compliant and comparable data for all your shipments.
If you want to calculate CO2e for your carriers yourself, you can do so manually or using an automated solution.
We have developed FreightEmission, which collects and calculates all your CO2e data for all your carriers using the same calculation method. This ensures that you have compliant and comparable CO2e data for your transport.