Sustainability / Reading time: ~ 1 Min.

Zero emissions in practice

<!--[CDATA[

Logistics with zero emissions is an ambitious goal. But how is that zero calculated? Standards are required. Homogeneous measurement methods across all modes of transport are important. If these are missing, progress can be hindered. Logistics needs to cut emissions, that's clear. By how much, what method, and the timeframe is a question the experts are still trying to answer. Independent of any possible solutions, all involved must first face a central hurdle: uniformity of data. How can emissions be represented and calculated in a comparable way for all modes of transport? In other words, which is more environmentally sound: transport by truck, air, rail, or ship? The non-profit organization Smart Freight Centre (SFC) and its Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) initiative have devoted themselves to this question. The goal is a universal set of rules which will replace the many different methods previously used to calculate emissions. Christof Ehrhart, Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Responsibility of GLEC-member and co-founder Deutsche Post DHL Group says: “Deutsche Post DHL Group, the world’s leading mail and logistics company, strongly supports the work of the Global Logistics Emissions Council to develop a common standard for calculating logistics greenhouse gas emissions across the global multi-modal supply chain. Global standards and collaboration within our supply chain are key to reducing our environmental footprint and meeting the demands of our customers. We see the GLEC as an essential tool in our own progress toward improving the carbon efficiency of our network.” The new regulation is already in the starting gates. Next year, the companies cooperating in the GLEC will begin calculating emissions along their supply chains based on the new rules and publish the results. By 2021, this approach should be the standard. This will open the door to much more dynamic solutions to the emissions problem. The comparison will be a driving force for investments and innovations, such as the procurement of transport vehicles and route planning. In addition, the new standard will enable shippers to select their logistics partners more specifically according to environmental considerations.

SFC The Smart Freight Center (SFC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2013. Its goal is to identify ways to create a more efficient and sustainable freight and logistics sector. The focus is on eliminating market barriers, using fuel more efficiently, reducing emissions, and lowering operating costs.GLEC A group of companies and industrial associations has joined the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) to reduce CO2 emissions. The aim is to reduce pollution and increase the efficiency of global logistics chains. GLEC members include such companies as DHL, HP, Maersk and SNCF, organizations such as IATA and IRU, and environmental programs such as BSR, Clean Cargo, and Green Freight. In addition, many companies and organizations are involved as consultants and experts.

You Want to Learn More about this Topic?

The authors of our article will be happy to answer your questions. Just send us a message using the contact form and we will go deeper into the topic together.

Related articles

Sustainability

Zero emissions in practice

[Logistics with zero emissions is an ambitious goal. But how is that zero calculated? Standards are required. Homogeneous measurement methods across all modes of transport are important. If these are missing, progress can be hindered.

22. August 2017 / Reading time: ~ 1 Min.