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Flexport's tool to assess carbon footprint of shipments
19 Aug '20
2 min read
Pic: Shutterstock
Flexport has develop a new Carbon Calculator API functionality to help businesses easily assess up to 100 per cent of their carbon footprint for shipments. The tool has been accredited by Smart Freight Centre (SFC) and is in accordance with the Global Logistics Emission Council (GLEC) Framework. It is available through the Flexport digital platform.
Carbon emissions from logistics can account for 30 to over 50 per cent of a company’s total carbon footprint. Before companies can take action to reduce their emissions, though, they need to understand how much carbon output they’re responsible for. Yet, many shippers find it difficult to access that information. Some capture the information by poring over hundreds of spreadsheets, while others pay over $40,000 for just a year’s worth of data. Many don’t have the capacity, infrastructure, or time to even approach the measurement problem.
The new Flexport Carbon Calculator API addresses this problem. Companies can calculate their logistics-based carbon emissions using the same digital platform used by Flexport customers and suppliers. For shipments handled outside of Flexport, companies can submit third-party shipment data via a public calculator API—or submit Excel or .CSV files that will be analysed by the Flexport team.
Traditionally, one of the challenges with emissions calculations has been that companies, providers, and partners calculate greenhouse gas emissions in different ways. However, the Carbon Calculator API’s SFC accreditation assures users that their emissions are calculated from a global standard - which aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, UN-led Green Freight Action Plan, and CDP reporting. This lets users make real comparisons to learn their total carbon footprint.
Once emissions are known, customers can then work directly with Flexport to find ways to mitigate their environmental impact through a new partnership with GoodShipping. As the first sustainable shipping initiative in the world, GoodShipping makes ocean transport less polluting by facilitating a one-to-one fuel switch from heavy marine bunker fuel to sustainable biofuels. As a result, businesses can achieve 100 per cent CO2e well-to-exhaust reduction.
For emissions that can’t be reduced, Flexport offers a carbon offset programme with Carbonfund.org Foundation. Flexport.org has helped organisations offset more than 82,700 metric tonnes of CO2e - the equivalent of what a forest over 3.5x the size of San Francisco absorbs in a year.
Carbon emissions from logistics can account for 30 to over 50 per cent of a company’s total carbon footprint. Before companies can take action to reduce their emissions, though, they need to understand how much carbon output they’re responsible for. Yet, many shippers find it difficult to access that information. Some capture the information by poring over hundreds of spreadsheets, while others pay over $40,000 for just a year’s worth of data. Many don’t have the capacity, infrastructure, or time to even approach the measurement problem.
The new Flexport Carbon Calculator API addresses this problem. Companies can calculate their logistics-based carbon emissions using the same digital platform used by Flexport customers and suppliers. For shipments handled outside of Flexport, companies can submit third-party shipment data via a public calculator API—or submit Excel or .CSV files that will be analysed by the Flexport team.
Traditionally, one of the challenges with emissions calculations has been that companies, providers, and partners calculate greenhouse gas emissions in different ways. However, the Carbon Calculator API’s SFC accreditation assures users that their emissions are calculated from a global standard - which aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, UN-led Green Freight Action Plan, and CDP reporting. This lets users make real comparisons to learn their total carbon footprint.
Once emissions are known, customers can then work directly with Flexport to find ways to mitigate their environmental impact through a new partnership with GoodShipping. As the first sustainable shipping initiative in the world, GoodShipping makes ocean transport less polluting by facilitating a one-to-one fuel switch from heavy marine bunker fuel to sustainable biofuels. As a result, businesses can achieve 100 per cent CO2e well-to-exhaust reduction.
For emissions that can’t be reduced, Flexport offers a carbon offset programme with Carbonfund.org Foundation. Flexport.org has helped organisations offset more than 82,700 metric tonnes of CO2e - the equivalent of what a forest over 3.5x the size of San Francisco absorbs in a year.
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