CALCULATING EMISSIONS ALONG SUPPLY CHAINS – TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HARMONISED METHODOLOGY

Abstract

In order to keep climate change on a manageable level, European countries are expected to control and reduce their total greenhouse gas emissions. The growing transport sector, especially professional freight transport, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Several initiatives exist for the calculation of the carbon footprint of freight transport chains. However, there are problems in terms of comparability, transparency and accuracy since these initiatives are based on different starting points, approaches or intentions in development. The EU co-funded project COFRET (Carbon Footprint of Freight Transport) is making progress towards a unified approach. Based on existing knowledge, COFRET will provide a harmonized methodology to calculate logistics related carbon footprint emissions along complex supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the work that has been done during the systematic review process of COFRET’s research in assessing existing knowledge, which will eventually become part of the COFRET methodology.