Calculating a delivery's carbon footprint (GLEC, ISO 14083)

Why a standardised method

Transport accounts for about 25% of EU greenhouse gas emissions (European Environment Agency). Measuring its footprint is therefore a major issue — but only if the figure is credible and comparable. An undocumented "in-house" calculation has no value before a customer, an auditor or a regulator.

The GLEC framework

The GLEC framework (Global Logistics Emissions Council) is the global reference for calculating and reporting supply-chain greenhouse gas emissions. It harmonises emission factors and calculation methods across transport modes (road, rail, sea, air), to produce consistent, comparable results.

From EN 16258 to ISO 14083

In Europe, the EN 16258 standard historically framed the calculation of transport-service emissions. It evolved into the international standard ISO 14083, which provides a common methodology to quantify and report GHG emissions from transport operations. Aligning with these references means speaking the same language as your partners.

The data you need

• The actual distance travelled (not as the crow flies);
• The vehicle type and powertrain;
• The load carried and the fill rate;
• The consumption or associated emission factors.

This data naturally comes from a dispatch system that tracks routes — hence the value of not calculating in a disconnected spreadsheet.

Tracked routes, data ready to calculate. Try dropfleet free for 14 days — no credit card, ready in 5 minutes.