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Transport carbon footprint under ISO 14083

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Transport chain emissions calculated under ISO 14083, for freight and passengers, in all modes

Well to wheel: we count both burning the fuel and making it

Results ready for Scope 3 (categories 4 and 9), CSRD, tenders and shipper requests

Emission intensity per tonne-kilometre and passenger-kilometre: comparable and easy to audit

Talk to us about your transport carbon footprint.

Definition

What is a transport carbon footprint under ISO 14083?

A transport carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions from a transport chain: moving goods or passengers and handling cargo in hubs. It is shown in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).

ISO 14083:2023 is the international standard that sets one way to calculate and report these emissions. It splits the transport chain into elements (transport chain elements): each transport operation and each hub operation. For each one, it says how to collect data and calculate emissions. The standard replaced the European standard EN 16258. It is in line with the GHG Protocol and the GLEC Framework (Global Logistics Emissions Council).

Three things set ISO 14083 calculations apart from rough estimates:

Well to wheel

We count the full energy cycle. Tank to wheel covers running the vehicle. Well to tank covers making and supplying the fuel or energy. This gives a fuller picture than fuel burning alone.

Chain and hubs

The standard covers more than moving goods. It also covers hubs: warehouses, terminals, ports and transhipment centres. We split the chain into elements and calculate each one.

All modes

Road, rail, sea, air, inland waterways and pipelines, for freight and passengers. We show the result as intensity per tonne-kilometre or passenger-kilometre.

When

When should you calculate a transport carbon footprint?

Shippers and customers ask about emissions

Companies that report Scope 3 need emissions data from carriers, forwarders and logistics providers.

CSRD and ESG reporting

Transport emissions feed into Scope 3 (categories 4 and 9) and ESRS E1 climate disclosures under the CSRD.

Tenders and carrier choice

CO₂e is now often a criterion when companies choose a transport provider, and part of the offer.

Input data

What data do we need?

ISO 14083 is based on activity data for each element of the chain. The better your primary data, the more accurate the result. We fill any gaps with GLEC default values.

Road transport
—Routes and distances
—Weight or volume of the cargo
—Vehicle type, payload and Euro standard
—Fuel use (if available)
—Load factor and empty runs
Rail, sea, air
—Routes and distances
—Cargo weight and unit type (container, pallet)
—Transport mode and carrier
—Energy or fuel use of the vehicle or vessel
—Pre- and on-carriage (first and last mile)
Hubs
—Energy use of warehouses and terminals
—Number and weight of shipments handled
—Cooling and handling equipment
—Energy mix of the site (if you own it)
Team

Meet the team

Experienced EXERGY specialists run every project with our own proven methods. We do not give consulting work to subcontractors. We have worked in this field since 2017.

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Process

How do we work with you?

We keep the project on track. This is our process:

Week 0–1

Project start

—We agree the goal and the boundaries of the transport chain
—Kick-off meeting
Weeks 2–4

Data collection

—Collecting route and shipment data
—Data check
—Filling gaps with GLEC values
Weeks 2–3

Analysis and calculation

—Emissions under ISO 14083 (well to wheel)
—Analysis of results and emission intensity
—Report
Week 1

Report and next steps

—We present the report
—We discuss the results and ways to cut emissions
Case study

See our case studies

Chemicals
Scope 1–3 carbon footprint with a calculator

How a chemicals company calculated its Scope 1–3 emissions (with transport in Scope 3) and got a tool to work on its own.

Read the case study →
Manufacturing
Plastic packaging manufacturer

How a packaging manufacturer brought all climate topics together: the carbon footprint, a reduction strategy and reporting to demanding customers.

Read the case study →
Contact

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See also

See also

Services

Product carbon footprint under the GHG Protocol

Emissions over the product life cycle, cradle to gate or cradle to grave.
Services

SBTi target validation

Science-based reduction targets, including Scope 3.
Industry

Decarbonisation strategy

Setting and delivering reduction targets, including for transport.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

1. What is ISO 14083, and who is it for?+
ISO 14083:2023 is the international standard for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from transport chains, for both freight and passengers. It is for carriers, forwarders, logistics providers and shippers (companies that buy transport) that want to know and report the emissions of their shipments. From 2 December 2030, it will be the required method for companies that give customers the emissions of specific shipments. Read more in our article on the CountEmissions EU regulation.
2. How is ISO 14083 different from EN 16258?+
ISO 14083 replaced the European standard EN 16258. The main change is the full well-to-wheel approach: it counts making the fuel, not only burning it. ISO 14083 also has a global scope and fits the GLEC Framework and the GHG Protocol. So results can be compared between companies and countries.
3. What does well to wheel mean?+
Well to wheel (WTW) has two parts. Tank to wheel covers emissions from running the vehicle (burning fuel, using energy). Well to tank covers emissions from extracting, producing and distributing the fuel or energy. Together, they give a fuller picture than fuel burning alone.
4. What data do you need for the calculation?+
For each leg of the chain: distances and routes, cargo weight or volume, transport mode, fuel or energy use and load factor. For hubs (warehouses, terminals): energy use and the number of shipments handled. Where primary data is missing, we use recognised GLEC values.
5. How do ISO 14083 results relate to Scope 3 and the CSRD?+
Emissions calculated under ISO 14083 feed into Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol: category 4 (upstream transportation and distribution) and category 9 (downstream). You use the same data in ESRS E1 climate disclosures under the CSRD, in reports to customers and in schemes such as CDP.
6. Do you count your own transport and bought-in transport?+
Yes. For your own fleet, we use primary data: fuel use, mileage and loads. For transport by outside carriers, we get data from them. If they have none, we model emissions from routes, weights and vehicle types, using the ISO 14083 method and GLEC values.