A Benchmarking Study of Online Carbon Emission Calculators for Freight Transport

Description

Purpose
While hardly exactly measurable, carbon emissions commonly serve as an idol for environmen-tal friendliness and so many online carbon emission calculators (OCECs) are offered that al-low estimating environmental footprint of freight transport operations. Unfortunately, previ-ous studies have shown that many of these OCECs based on poor input data, apply non-transparent calculation methods, and so too often result in highly inaccurate to very mislead-ing measures. Hence, the objective of this paper is to assess freely available OCECs to sort out those that deliver mostly reliable carbon footprint measurement results.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured online search was conducted to identify suitable OCECs for further assessment in form of a benchmark case that includes different modes of transport from road and rail to air and sea between China and Europe. Further comparison resulted in a ranking of OCECs along the dimensions of transparency (routing system, data sources and calculation method), accuracy (input options) and completeness (data output).
Findings
Different predefined inputs and calculation methods employed by the OCECs assessed inevi-tably result in a wide spread of more or less reliable carbon footprint measurement results.
Research limitations/implications
Information to assess the OCECs was obtained so far exclusively from the respective websites - no providers of such offers were contacted to obtain further details.
Practical implications
All potential users of OCECs, including policymakers, players from the transport industry, and other stakeholders are well advised to question GHG emission statements that are not backed by transparent procedures and internationally recognized calculation methods.
Original/value
This assessment including a benchmark study and a ranking offers a guideline for potential us-ers of OCEC to avoid major pit holes coming along with present carbon footprint measure-ment of freight transport operations.

Period	15 Jun 2023 → 16 Jun 2023
Event title	35th Annual NOFOMA Conference
Event type	Conference
Location	Helsinki, FinlandShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International