Calculate CO2 emissions from goods transports in freight forwarding software
Scope integrates CO2 calculator from CarbonCare for more sustainability in logistics
Talking about sustainability in logistics is one thing. Working on it is another. Scope has been programmed for sustainability right from the start. The electronic air waybill (e-AWB) in air freight has been enabling users to save paper, printers, inks and energy for years. The same applies to the electronic dispatch of documents such as quotations and invoices. Each page that is not printed saves about 200 ml of water, 2 g of CO2 and 2 g of wood.
Now Scope also allows CO2 emissions to be calculated directly in the shipment. This enables freight forwarders to measure, improve or offset their company's carbon footprint for all means of transport. Next to the important plus for the environment, it is also a decisive advantage when competing for orders from existing and new customers. That's why we have integrated the CO2 calculator from the renowned Swiss provider CarbonCare into Scope. The fact that using the calculator and being able to search for and offer alternatives pays off is shown by the general global price development of transport costs.
Price + Speed + CO2 tax
Due to high competitive pressure and decreasing margins, the – ideally lowest – price in combination with fastest possible delivery has always been the highest priority. In the meantime, the rapid progress of climate change has led to the first signs of a rethink in the logistics industry and its customers. Nevertheless, price and time were still the focus for a long time in order not to endanger the own economic existence.
The CO2 tax has put the traditional calculation model into perspective. Germany has already introduced the regulations planned in the climate protection program for a CO2 price on gasoline, diesel, heating oil and gas in January 2021. Previous exemptions for fossil fuels will no longer apply. This includes those for kerosene. As part of its “Fit for 55” package, the EU Commission has presented an energy tax directive that will take effect from 2024. Around 4 cents per liter of kerosene will then be levied, 8 cents from 2025 and 40 cents from 2033.
Climate vs. costs in air freight
Since the expenses for fuel account for around one-third of an airline's operating costs, the classic low-cost flight will no longer exist in air freight either. It also has to be taken into account that, according to IATA, almost 50 percent of all shipments worldwide are flown as belly freight* on passenger aircraft, where the price structure will become even tighter. Calculation models that help to reduce or at least compensate CO2 emissions will thus become more attractive – quite apart from the ecological necessity.
Climate and costs must no longer be played off against each other. The fact that CO2 emissions in air transport accounted for just 2.4 percent in 2019 and that air freight accounted for only 19 percent of this** is no longer an argument. All industries worldwide point out that they contribute only a few percentage points. What counts is the sum of the burdens. There is an acute need for action. And action is being taken. Logisticians want change, their customers demand it.
*International Air Transport Association (IATA): World Air Transport Statistics 2015
** DVZ, issue of December 14, 2021
The CO2 calculator from CarbonCare in Scope
We have consciously chosen the CO2 calculator from CarbonCare. CarbonCare is a renowned Swiss company and therefore also stands for the famous Swiss quality. The calculator is certified according to EU standard EN16258, tested by the Swiss Federal Ministry of the Environment and recognized by the myclimate foundation as a medium for offsetting CO2 emissions.
“CarbonCare’s CO₂ calculator is a program for calculating and offsetting greenhouse gases and is based on the recognized EN16258 standard. It has been thoroughly tested by the Swiss Federal Ministry of the Environment and validated by the myclimate foundation.”
Scope integrates CarbonCare's validated CO2 emissions calculator for all means of transport in the global supply chain. The respective impact calculation is an important indicator for the implementation of measures for climate-neutral transports. The values are determined for all means of transport worldwide, regardless of where the journey goes – from the first to the last mile. Seamless integration with Scope means that calculations can be performed without interrupting workflows or changing systems.
“Our freight forwarders want to do their part in reversing the trend in CO2 emissions in transports. The basis for this is to measure CO2 emissions and offer alternatives based on this. The integration of CarbonCare's CO2 calculator into Scope provides users with the perfect tool. Since all calculations and updates in Scope run automatically in the background, users are relieved and can devote themselves to their actual core task – customer service.”
Reduction or compensation
The values determined provide information about the effective environmental impact of the CO2 emissions per shipment. For air freight shipments, the flight schedule integrated in Scope offers the option of searching for alternative, less polluting routes or for airlines with emission-reduced fleets. For compensation measures, CarbonCare offers CO2 compensation projects, which are attested by an emissions certificate.
As there is still little room for route or carrier optimization in ocean freight and alternative propulsion concepts for freighters are still in the development phase, the compensation of CO2 emissions is of particular importance here. CarbonCare offers CO2 offset projects in cooperation with the myclimate foundation. The carbon offset projects of myclimate meet strict standards such as Gold Standard and Plan Vivo.
“We realize that more and more logistics providers are looking for the change themselves. Customers are also increasingly only placing orders if emissions are offset and thus work is climate-neutral. In addition, it is a question of time before political pressure comes. Therefore, it is important to rather build up and establish the solutions proactively and unhurriedly now.”
Overview of CO2 values in Scope
The calculator integrated in Scope meets all the requirements of responsible logistics companies and their customers. The free version includes an overview of the calculated emissions for each individual shipment. Upgrade licenses and additional services can also be purchased. These include the additional Analytics tool for detailed evaluations and the option of making the calculated values available to customers by uploading them to their systems. In addition, users can calculate emissions from cold chains and cargo handling in terminals and warehouses. More information is available at carboncare.org/en/products-and-licences.