Transport and logistics are essential for a growing economy, but they are also a significant part of the global emission of greenhouse gases. The World Economic Forum (WEF), in line with the Climate Portal, states that 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions are directly attributable to logistics processes. The decarbonisation of the logistics is no longer a vision of the far future: Legislators are applying pressure, and at the same time, a lower carbon footprint offers genuine economic opportunities through more efficient processes and lower fuel consumption.
The most important information at a glance
| ✓ 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from logistics (WEF). |
| ✓ The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050; the CSRD requires companies with 250 or more employees or a turnover of €50 million to report on sustainability. |
| ✓ CountEmissionsEU (adopted in November 2025) will, in the future, mandate a standardised calculation method for EU-wide transport emissions–based on ISO 14083. |
| ✓ CarLo offers two methods for calculating CO₂ emissions: Interface to pacemaker.ai and native GLEC framework based on ISO 14083. |
| ✓ The AI Planning Radar in CarLo reduces empty tours and fuel consumption–and with that, the emissions. |
Why lowering the CO₂ emissions in the logistics sector is difficult
Despite growing pressure, there are tangible obstacles that are hindering rapid decarbonisation:
- Infrastructure deficits: The charging infrastructure for electric trucks is not yet available on a large scale, which is holding back the transition to electric mobility.
- High investment costs: Vehicles with alternative powertrains require substantial investment, which places a particular burden on smaller logistics service providers.
- Range issues: Electric trucks do not yet match the range of conventional diesel vehicles, which limits their potential applications.
- Complex supply chains: Reducing emissions requires transparency throughout the entire logistics chain–which is particularly difficult in the case of international transport involving many different parties.
- Economic pressure: Striking a balance between cost-efficiency and climate protection remains an ongoing challenge in an industry with tight margins.
Climate neutrality until 2050: Growing legal obligations
The EU aims to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Companies with 250 or more employees or a turnover of €50 million or more are subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and are required to disclose sustainability and CO₂ data. However, small and medium-sized enterprises are also affected if they are involved as suppliers or supply chain partners.
A new development is CountEmissionsEU: The regulation, adopted at EU level in November 2025, introduces a standardised calculation method for greenhouse gas emissions from passenger and freight transport. The methodology is based on the ISO 14083 standard and will, in the future, apply to all modes of transport–road, rail, sea and air. Those who already calculate in accordance with GLEC/ISO 14083 are therefore well prepared.
CarLo as support for CO₂ reporting
Soloplan has specifically designed the TMS CarLo to transparently record, document and analyse CO₂ emissions. The calculated data can be used internally, included in quotes and invoices and utilised to meet statutory reporting requirements. CarLo offers two calculation methods:
Option 1–Interface with pacemaker.ai Tour data is transmitted via an integrated interface to the software service provider pacemaker.ai (formerly WAVES). As a SaaS solution, the sustainability management platform calculates the corporate carbon footprint for Scopes 1 to 3 as well as CSRD reports in real time and feeds the results back into CarLo.
Emissions generated directly within the company itself–e.g. from the diesel consumption of its own truck fleet.
Emissions from purchased energy–e.g. electricity for warehouses and offices.
All other emissions along the supply chain–e.g. from subcontractors, in vehicle manufacturing or at customers’ premises. For logistics service providers, this is usually by far the largest proportion.
Option 2–GLEC framework in accordance with ISO 14083: CarLo includes a native calculation based on the GLEC framework, which is regarded as the primary industry methodology for implementing ISO 14083. To ensure accurate results, vehicle data in the master data section must be carefully maintained, as the formula used relies on vehicle weight and diesel consumption.
GLEC calculation: From fuel consumption to specific emission values
The GLEC framework–the methodological basis of ISO 14083–calculates emissions in clearly defined steps:
- Segmenting the transport: The tour is divided into individual sections, e.g. loaded run and empty run.
- Determine fuel consumption per section: The distance-based fuel consumption is recorded for both loaded and unloaded conditions.
- Calculate emissions: Fuel consumption per section is multiplied by the respective emission factor.
- Add up emissions: All section values are combined to give the total emissions for the transport.
- Allocate to transport quantity: The total emissions are allocated to the quantity of goods transported (e.g. per tonne).
- Calculate transport service: Transported quantity × distance of the loaded transport equals the transport service.
- Determine specific emission value: Total emissions divided by the transport service equals the emission value per transport unit and per unit of distance.
Above all, the result provides hauliers with transparency regarding costs and efficiency: Inefficient tours, empty runs and poor utilisation are identified and specifically optimised. At the same time, quotation calculations are improved, competitive advantages are gained with customers who have sustainability requirements and companies are better prepared for future regulations such as CountEmissionsEU.
The AI Planning Radar: Actively reduce empty routes
Another tool in CarLo for the direct CO₂ reduction is the AI-based Planning Radar. It continuously analyses transport orders, resources and framework conditions in real time–and actively supports dispatchers in their decision-making.
The concrete effects on the CO₂ emissions:
- Fewer empty trips: The system identifies suitable additional loads and combines existing orders in such a way that vehicles are utilised to the fullest extent possible. Fewer journeys directly result in lower emissions.
- More efficient route and tour planning: The intelligent consolidation of shipments results in shorter routes and lower total mileage–thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
All these functions in CarLo have a direct or indirect impact on fuel consumption–and thus on CO₂ emissions. The program is a key component in combining sustainability and cost-effectiveness in logistics.
PRO tips: CO₂ management in practice
- Keep Master Data up to date: Vehicle weight and diesel consumption need to be kept up to date in the CarLo Master Data area to ensure that the GLEC calculation returns correct values.
- Knowing both calculation methods: Depending on the reporting requirements (simple emissions documentation vs. full CSRD reports), either the native GLEC calculation or the pacemaker.ai interface is more suitable.
- Using customer data: Displaying CO₂ figures on quotes and sales invoices creates transparency and is a real competitive advantage for customers with sustainability requirements.
- Making active use of the Planning Radar: The AI Planning Radar only delivers its full benefits if dispatchers regularly review and implement the system’s suggestions.
- Keeping an eye on CountEmissionsEU: The new EU regulation (November 2025) will make ISO 14083-compliant calculations mandatory in future. Those who set this up now will have less work to do later on.
Conclusion
Reducing CO₂ emissions in logistics is not just an isolated environmental measure–it makes good business sense and is increasingly becoming a requirement due to the CSRD, CountEmissionsEU and pressure from supply chain partners. With its integrated GLEC/ISO 14083 calculation, the pacemaker.ai interface and the AI Planning Radar, CarLo offers specific tools for measuring, documenting and actively reducing emissions.
FAQ–frequently asked questions about the CO₂ calculation and logistics
What is the GLEC framework?
The GLEC (Global Logistics Emissions Council) framework is the leading industry methodology for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions in the logistics sector. It formed the methodological basis for ISO 14083, the international standard for greenhouse gas accounting in transport chains, which replaces the outdated EN 16258.
What is ISO°14083 and why is it relevant?
ISO 14083 is the international standard for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions for transport chains. It applies to all modes of transport (road, rail, sea, air) and forms the basis for CountEmissionsEU. Anyone who documents their emissions in accordance with ISO 14083 today will meet future EU requirements.
H3: What is CountEmissionsEU?
CountEmissionsEU is a regulation adopted at EU level in November 2025, which introduces a standardised method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from passenger and freight transport. It is based on ISO 14083 and establishes comparable, auditable emissions data as the basis for reports and tenders.
To whom does the CSRD apply?
The CSRD initially applies to companies with 250 or more employees or a turnover of at least €50 million. Small and medium-sized companies are indirectly affected if they act as suppliers or supply chain partners to large companies.
How does CarLo help with CSRD compliance?
Via its interface with pacemaker.ai, CarLo supports the creation of CRSD-compliant reports for Scopes 1 to 3 in real time. The GLEC/ISO 14083- compliant emissions calculation provides the necessary data basis for verifiable sustainability documentation.
