In today’s advancing regulatory landscape, having precise insights into logistics emissions is no longer only a compliance requirement, it’s strategically becoming a must-have. Whether it’s for meeting Science Based Target commitments or advancing a company’s decarbonisation goals. At AllChiefs, we recently partnered with a leading global beverage brand to enhance their logistics carbon emission calculation and reporting process, providing actionable recommendations for ongoing improvement.
Our project was broken down in three phases, each building upon the previous. In the first phase, we worked with the client to clarify their ambitions. They aimed to transition from a fragmented and manual emission reporting process to a more integrated and automated system. The client was focused on reducing the time and resources spent on manual reporting, which would allow them to concentrate more on emission reduction. Their ambition also involved ensuring compliance with all relevant emissions accounting standards and enhancing the granularity of their data to gain better insights into their logistics carbon emission reduction efforts (incl. the move to primary input data where possible).
Moving into the second phase, we conducted an assessment based on AllChiefs’ three main assessment criteria:
- Input data: we evaluated the granularity, completeness, and reliability of the input data, ensuring it was sufficient for accurate emissions calculations and reduction reporting.
- Calculation and methodology: we reviewed the calculation methods against recognised standards such as the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083 standards, verifying their correctness and proper application.
- Reporting and governance: we examined the consistency of data flows, the balance between manual and automated procedures, and the quality of dashboards and reports.
Our approach was thorough and collaborative. We conducted interviews with key stakeholders to understand the current process, identifying both strengths and challenges. We also reviewed ongoing IT projects to create alignment and insights in current and future data flows and systems involved. Additionally, we performed sample data calculation checks, and we addressed open methodological questions, such as responsibilities for intercompany logistical flows, sources of biofuel emission factors, and reporting on complex logistics scenarios as milk runs. The assessment allowed us to identify areas for improvement.
In the final phase, we shifted our focus to evaluating and prioritising the identified gaps. This involved holding a workshop with key stakeholders to validate the gaps and assess them based on effort and impact. The gaps were then categorised into immediate compliance needs, quick fixes, those that would be addressed through the implementation of new tools, and advanced improvements intended for the long term. This prioritisation process resulted in various scenarios for implementation, each with its own set of pros and cons to support in decision-making.
Results and Conclusion
Through this project, the client gained a better understanding of the current state. This insight led them to decide on recruiting an additional employee dedicated to ongoing improvement efforts. The project laid the groundwork for a more robust, efficient, and compliant logistics carbon emission calculation and reporting process, positioning the client to better meet regulatory and sustainability goals.
Want to reduce emissions in your organisation?
Take a look at our Sustainable Logistics page to see how we approach logistics emission calculation and reach out to Chief Bonne Goedhart to assess how we can start in your organisation.
