Towards a global CO2 calculation standard for supply chains: suggestions for methodological improvements

Abstract

Improving the efficiency and sustainability of supply chains is a shared aim of the transport industry, its customers, governments as well as industry organizations. In order to optimize supply chains and for the identification of best practice, standards for their analysis are needed in order to achieve comparable evaluations. This need for an evaluation standard also applies to CO2 emission calculations. In the recent past, several organizations have come forward with possible methods, tools and databases for the calculation of CO2 emissions along supply chains. A global standard could not be introduced yet though. With many supply chains being international in nature such a globally accepted and applicable standard is urgently needed. The EN16258 standard was introduced at the end of 2012 and currently presents the most encompassing approach towards an international supply chain emission calculation standard. This research analyzes the standard in respect to ambiguities and fairness of the emission allocation principles and outlines further specifications which need to be taken into consideration for moving towards a global calculation harmonization. A gap analysis of the current EN16258 is followed by suggestions for methodologicalimprovements proposed for their closure. The research closes with an outlook on next steps towards a global CO2 calculation standard for supply chains.