Sustainable logistics matters more than ever - for the environment and the transport sector. An emission calculator for transport helps to make smart and emissions-conscious choices for an informed decision making. This article shows how it works and how our customers benefit.
The logistics industry is facing a major challenge: reducing emissions from transport, such as CO2 or other greenhouse gases, is not only a regulatory requirement, but also a matter of corporate responsibility. As a forward-looking logistics service provider, Rhenus has set itself the goal of operating towards Net-zero target by 2045 through low-carbon solutions offers. An important component of this is the CO₂e emissions calculator for transport. But how exactly does it work - and how do customers benefit from it?
As climate targets become a priority for many companies – whether out of social responsibility, regulatory compliance or long-term strategy – a solid data foundation is essential for calculating, achieving and tracking emissions performance against these goals. A CO₂e emissions calculator for transport plays a key role in this process: this tool assesses the amount of Greenhouse Gas emissions per shipment, for example CO₂ or methane, by factoring in mode of transport, distance and cargo weight. This enables businesses to identify more sustainable alternatives, such as optimized routes or low-emission transport options. The result is transparent and insightful, which can support corporate sustainability strategies and enhance ESG documentation, helping companies clearly demonstrate their progress.
Rhenus not only uses such calculation to optimize its own sustainability strategy – this transparency is also made available to customers.
CO₂ (carbon dioxide) refers to a single greenhouse gas, while CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) is a broader metric that expresses the total emissions of all greenhouse gases in terms of the amount of CO₂ that would cause the same warming. For instance, methane occurs in smaller quantities but has a much higher warming potential, so its emissions are converted to CO₂e for consistency.
Using CO₂e instead of just CO₂ offers a standardized and comprehensive way to support climate impact assessment by accounting for all greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential. This enables clearer comparisons, supports informed decision-making and helps track progress toward emission reduction goals across sectors and regions.
For logistics and supply chain management, tracking CO₂e is essential for accurately reporting environmental impact and making sustainable decisions.
An emissions calculator relies on a combination of programs, algorithms and formulas, all of which draw from a consistent set of input data, for example:
The accuracy of the results improves with the inclusion of additional parameters such as fuel type, vehicle type and utilization rate. These factors significantly enhance the precision of emissions estimates.
It is important to recognize that calculated values may deviate from actual savings, both positively and negatively, depending on operational conditions. Based on the collected data, various systems can determine key metrics such as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission, offering valuable insights for sustainable strategies.
Many companies struggle to accurately assess their emissions within the supply chain. Without a solid data foundation, the true potential for optimization - and where it lies - often remains unclear. However, with the right data, businesses can identify impactful savings opportunities, enabling targeted and timely improvements.
The complexity of data collection presents another major hurdle. The more multifaceted the supply chain, the more difficult it becomes to measure emissions accurately - especially when multiple transport modes or cross-border shipments are involved.
In addition, companies often face the challenge of balancing ecological and economic goals. While sustainable solutions may not always appear to be the most cost-effective initially, environmental responsibility and profitability are not necessarily at odds. With the right strategy, businesses can align emissions reduction efforts with long-term economic performance, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
The European Union has set ambitious climate targets:
✔ 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions from road freight transport by 2030, compared to 2005 levels¹
✔ Mandatory emissions reporting for companies under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)²
✔ Promotion of low-carbon transport solutions, for example through tax incentives and subsidies
✔ EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS): The EU’s flagship tool for cutting greenhouse gases, based on a “cap-and-trade” model. It sets a limit on total emissions and allows companies to buy or sell allowances, encouraging efficient reductions and investment in clean technologies.
✔ Extension of the EU ETS to maritime transport: Shipping companies must now surrender emissions allowances corresponding to their verified CO₂ emissions. From 2026 onwards, they are required to cover 100% of their emissions, reinforcing the push for cleaner and more efficient shipping.
Designing a sustainable supply chain goes far beyond switching to electric trucks or hydrogen-powered vessels. Rhenus leverages advanced technology to bring CO₂e transparency and sustainable logistics within reach for its customers. With a precise CO₂e emissions calculator for transport, companies receive accurate data on their emissions footprint – making it easier to uncover areas with significant savings potential.
Through intelligent route planning, energy efficiency is improved and consequently reduces overall emissions. Additionally, selecting the right mode(s) of transport plays a crucial role: from electric vehicles and sustainable rail solutions to alternative fuels, Rhenus enables flexible and less climate-impact options based on availability and customer needs. These combined efforts help businesses not only improve their environmental footprint but also progress toward their corporate sustainability goals.
Rhenus also enables customers to generate emissions reports, offering a clear overview of transport emissions and savings achieved. These reports support transparency across the supply chain and strengthen customer trust by documenting measurable environmental performance.
With this scientifically sound approach, Rhenus ensures accurate and transparent calculation of the carbon footprint.
The use of an CO₂e emissions calculator for transport offers clear advantages: Companies will receive accurate emissions performance data, can optimize transport routes and able to make informed decisions to actively contribute to CO₂e reduction. Rhenus is setting a good example by supporting their customers with climate-friendly logistics solutions.
Rhenus offers you precise CO₂e calculations and sustainable solutions for your goods transport.
Calculate your CO₂e emissions!1 Source: Regulation setting CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and amending Regulations (EC) No. 595/2009 and (EU) 2018/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 96/53/EC, online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R1242.
2 Source: Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 14, 2022, amending Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 and Directives 2004/109/EC, 2006/43/EC and 2013/34/EU as regards sustainability reporting by companies (Text with EEA relevance), online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2464.
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