由 caicai8478 Introduction: Beyond “Greenwashing,” Towards True Green Competitiveness
In the global wave of carbon neutrality, supply chain logistics, as a significant source of carbon emissions, is facing multiple pressures from regulators, investors, and consumers. For high-volume transportation, its environmental impact is enormous. Therefore, systematically measuring, managing, and reducing carbon footprint is no longer merely about environmental image, but about building compliance, cost, and brand advantages for the next decade. The core of this transformation is shifting from vague promises to data-driven, precise action.
Chapter One: The Cornerstone of Measurement—Building a Reliable Carbon Footprint Ledger
Without measurement, there is no management. Carbon footprint measurement is the cornerstone of the entire sustainable logistics system.
I. Measurement Standards and Methodologies
Core Standard:
GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Accounting System): This is the most widely used standard globally. It divides emissions into three categories:
Category 1 (Direct Emissions): Fuel combustion in owned or controlled vehicles.
Category 2 (Indirect Emissions): Emissions from purchased electricity (e.g., warehouse electricity).
Scope 3 (Other Indirect Emissions): This is the key and challenging area, encompassing upstream (supplier transportation) and downstream (finished product transportation and distribution) logistics activities. For cargo owners, the vast majority of their logistics carbon footprint falls under Scope 3.
ISO 14064 Standard: An internationally recognized standard for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gases.
Calculation Methods:
Fuel Consumption-Based Method (Most Accurate): Applicable to Scope 1 and owned fleets. Calculated directly by multiplying the amount of fuel consumed (diesel, jet fuel, etc.) by the emission factor.
Activity Data-Based Method (Most Commonly Used): Applicable to Scope 3. The formula is: Activity Data × Emission Factor = Carbon Emissions.
Activity Data: Transport distance (ton-kilometers/TEU-kilometers), weight/volume, fuel type.
Emission Factor: Carbon emissions per unit of activity data (e.g., kg CO₂e/ton-kilometer). These factors are derived from authoritative databases (such as the GLEC framework, EEA).
II. Measurement Challenges and Countermeasures for High-Volume Transportation
Challenge 1: Data Acquisition Difficulty
Problem: Relying on numerous carriers makes it difficult to obtain accurate fuel consumption data.
Countermeasures:
Require Data Disclosure: Make the provision of standardized carbon footprint data a mandatory obligation for carriers in bidding contracts.
Utilize Technology: Adopt cloud-based carbon calculation platforms. These platforms have built-in standard factors such as GLEC, and can automatically estimate emissions by simply inputting basic transportation details (such as origin and destination, mode, and weight).
Challenge 2: Data Quality and Consistency
Problem: Different carriers provide data with inconsistent definitions, making it difficult to aggregate and compare.
Countermeasures:
Promote Unified Standards: Mandate all logistics partners to comply with the GLEC Logistics Emissions Accounting Framework, a globally recognized standard for logistics carbon accounting, ensuring the reliability and comparability of calculation results across different modes of transportation.
Part Two: Emission Reduction Strategies – From Optimization to Innovation
Based on reliable measurement, emission reduction strategies can be systematically deployed. It follows a clear priority: Optimization > Transformation > Innovation.
Strategy 1: Mode Optimization and Efficiency Improvement (Short-Term Results)
This is the lowest-cost and fastest-acting way to reduce emissions.
Prioritize Multimodal Transport: Shift some long-haul trunk transport from pure trucking or air freight to sea-rail or truck-rail intermodal transport. The carbon emissions per unit of rail are far lower than those of trucking and air freight.
Load and Route Optimization:
Increase Load Capacity: Maximize the volume and weight utilization of containers and trucks by improving packaging design and loading planning. “Running at full capacity” is the key strategy for reducing carbon emissions per unit of cargo.
Intelligent Route Planning: Use TMS and AI algorithms to select the shortest and least congested routes, reducing unnecessary trips.
Operational Efficiency Improvement:
Fleet/Vehicle Modernization: Invest in energy-efficient vessels, low-drag trucks, and aerodynamic components.
Slower Navigation: In maritime transport, encouraging carriers to implement slower navigation can significantly reduce fuel consumption.
Green Warehousing: Utilizing LED lighting, solar photovoltaic panels, and highly efficient automated equipment in warehouses.
Strategy Two: Energy Conversion (Medium-Term Investment) Shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
Biofuels: In the shipping and aviation sectors, sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel are currently the most viable direct alternatives.
Electrification:
“Last Mile” Electrification: Gradually adopting electric vans and electric light trucks in urban delivery.
Port Shore Power: Encouraging ships docked at ports to use shore power instead of burning heavy fuel oil to generate their own electricity.
Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Energy: This is a long-term strategic investment for ocean shipping and is currently in the research and demonstration phase.
Strategy Three: Collaboration and Innovation (Long-Term Strategy)
Supplier Collaboration:
Green Procurement: Using carbon footprint as one of the core evaluation indicators for selecting logistics service providers (e.g., setting a “carbon score” in tenders).
Joint Planning: Sharing production plans with suppliers, consolidating shipping batches, and reducing less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping and emergency air freight.
Carbon Offsetting (Last Resort):
For residual emissions that current technologies cannot eliminate, offset them by investing in certified carbon offset projects (such as tree planting and renewable energy projects).
Note: Carbon offsetting should supplement, not replace, emissions reduction efforts. Prioritize high-quality, add-on projects.
Circular Economy and Packaging Revolution:
Lightweight and Recyclable Packaging: Reduce packaging weight and volume, directly reducing transportation emissions. Promote recyclable plastic boxes, metal frames, etc., to replace disposable wooden and cardboard boxes.
Chapter Three: Integrating Sustainability into the Core of Business
Establishing Internal Carbon Pricing: Set an internal price for each tonne of carbon emissions and incorporate it into logistics department cost accounting and investment decisions to incentivize low-carbon choices.
Transparent Reporting and Communication: Regularly publish ESG reports, disclosing logistics carbon footprint and emissions reduction progress, responding to stakeholder concerns, and building a responsible brand image.
Seizing Policy Opportunities: Closely monitor national carbon border adjustment mechanisms and carbon emissions trading systems, turning compliance costs into first-mover advantages.
Conclusion: From Cost Center to Value Creation
For high-volume transportation, sustainable logistics represents a profound paradigm shift. It requires companies to:
Use data as a compass to precisely navigate emission reduction paths.
Use innovation as an engine to drive upgrades in operating models and technologies.
Use collaboration as a bridge to build a green industrial ecosystem.