GLEC

The Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework is a comprehensive guideline for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from logistics operations. It focuses on the entire supply chain, integrating emissions from transport and warehousing activities. Here's an overview:

Transport Operation Categories (TOC) and Hub Operation Categories (HOC):

• TOC: These are categories for different types of vehicle fleets, such as heavy trucks, last-mile delivery vehicles, or temperature-regulated vehicles.
• HOC: These involve different types of hub operations like loading, unloading, and processes for maintaining goods, as well as the nature of the freight handled (like palletized goods).

Transport Chains and Transport Chain Elements (TCE):

• Logistics emissions are calculated as the sum of emissions from various transport chains.
• A transport chain comprises multiple TCEs, each representing a stage where freight is carried by a vehicle or transits through a hub. Every change of vehicle or hub defines a new TCE.
• A TCE is measured in tonne-kilometers, considering both the freight mass and the distance covered.

Transport Activity and Transport Intensity:

• Transport activity is the operation of vehicles or hubs.
• Transport intensity refers to the emissions characteristics of a specific TOC or HOC, based on factors like transport method or cargo type.

Calculating GHG Emissions:

1. Emissions of a TCE:

• Calculate the transport activity of the TCE.
• Identify the emission intensity by establishing relevant TOCs or HOCs.
• Multiply transport activity with emission intensity to get the TCE's emissions.

2. Total Emissions of a TCE:

• Include the energy provision (fuel or electricity) for the TCE.

3. Total Emissions of a Transport Chain (TC):

• Sum up all the TCE emissions within the transport chain.

Calculating Emission Intensity:

1. Emission Intensity of Transport Operation Categories (TOCs):

• Determine the total GHG emissions of a specific transport activity.
• Measure the quantity of the transport activity in tonne-kilometers (tkm).
• Divide the total GHG emissions by the transport activity quantity to find the GHG emission intensity.

2. Emission Intensity of Hub Operation Categories (HOCs):

• Ascertain the total GHG emissions of a specific hub operation activity.
• Quantify the hub operation activity (the measurement unit will vary based on the activity type).
• Divide the total GHG emissions by the hub operation activity quantity to calculate the GHG emission intensity.

What is needed to calculate emissions with GLEC?

1. Vehicle and Fleet Information:

• Types of vehicles used (e.g., heavy trucks, last-mile delivery vans).
• Specifications of each vehicle type (e.g., fuel type, efficiency, emission standards).
• Fleet composition (e.g., number of each type of vehicle).

2. Activity Data:

• Distance traveled by each vehicle type.
• Weight of goods transported (to calculate tonne-kilometers).
• Operational data such as idling time and average speed.
• Information on how fully loaded the vehicles are on average.
• Information on return trips, especially for vehicles returning empty.

3. Hub Operation Details:

• Types of hub operations (e.g., loading, unloading, picking etc).
• Nature of the goods handled (e.g., palletized, bulk).
• Energy usage in hubs (e.g., electricity for refrigeration).

4. Fuel and Energy Consumption:

• Amount and type of fuel consumed by each vehicle.
• Electricity or other energy sources used for vehicles and hubs.
• Emission factors for different fuel types.
• Emission factors for electricity generation, if applicable.

5. Distance Calculation Data:

• Shortest feasible distance (SFD) or great circle distance (GCD) for each route.
• Any distance adjustment factors (DAF) for more accurate distance estimates.

Reporting with GLEC?

Emission reporting by the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083, focuses on two key performance indicators (KPIs):

1. Total GHG emissions and;
2. GHG emission intensity

Requirements for reporting

• The reporting must be in accordance with the ISO 14083 standard.
• Data sources and data quality must be stated. If modeled data is used, a set of parameters used (or not used) must be accounted for.
• The level of granularity of the reporting depends on the goals of the reporting entity.
• A clear explanation of how the GHG emissions were calculated, and delimitations need to be provided.
• Reports should be produced at least annually.
• There are two levels of reporting, depending on the target audience:
  • Level 1: Organization level
  • Level 2: Transport/hub level.