The carbon footprint of a shipment can be estimated from the fuel the vehicle burned or from the distance and weight moved multiplied by an emission factor. The fuel-based method is more accurate when you have the data.
Enter fuel used if you know it, or leave it empty and enter an emission factor from a source you trust.
Shipping Carbon Footprint Calculator
Enter your numbers to see the result.
Estimates for planning only. Results depend on the accuracy of the inputs and the assumptions of the standard formula.
Two methods
- Fuel-based: CO₂ = litres of fuel x emission factor of the fuel. Approximate tailpipe factors are 2.68 kg per litre of diesel and 2.31 kg per litre of gasoline.
- Distance-based: CO₂ = tonnes x kilometres x emission factor per tonne-km, divided by 1,000 to convert grams to kilograms.
Intensity = CO₂ in grams / tonne-km, and tonne-km = tonnes x kilometres. Intensity depends heavily on load factor, vehicle type and empty return trips.
The fuel factors cover tailpipe carbon dioxide only, not fuel production and delivery or other greenhouse gases, so reported emissions under a standard may be higher. For corporate reporting use a recognised method such as the GHG Protocol, and take emission factors for each transport mode from your carrier or from published factor databases rather than from a generic number.
Worked example
A truck burns 400 litres of diesel carrying 18 tonnes over 500 km.
- CO₂ = 400 x 2.68 = 1,072 kg
- Tonne-km = 18 x 500 = 9,000
- Intensity = 1,072,000 g / 9,000 = about 119 g per tonne-km
- CO₂ per tonne of cargo = 1,072 / 18 = about 59.6 kg
Using the result
Use the intensity to compare routes, loads and vehicles. Higher load factors and fewer empty miles lower the figure. Combine several trips by adding their CO₂ and tonne-km before calculating intensity so that the average is weighted correctly.
Treat the output as an estimate. For audited reporting you need documented factors, a stated boundary and consistent methods. See our sustainable supply chain guides and the fleet route and ESG calculator.
Common questions
What is a tonne-kilometre?
One tonne of cargo moved one kilometre. It measures transport work and lets you compare emissions across loads and distances. A 10-tonne load over 100 km is 1,000 tonne-km, the same work as a 20-tonne load over 50 km.
Which method is better?
Use the fuel-based method when you have fuel data for the trip, since it reflects real conditions such as load, terrain and driving. Use distance and an emission factor when fuel data is not available, and take the factor from a source that states how it was built.
Why does intensity differ from published factors?
Published factors are averages across many vehicles and loads. Your result depends on load factor, vehicle type, terrain, empty return trips and driving style. A half-full truck will show a higher intensity than the average, and a full modern truck a lower one.
Does the result include all greenhouse gases?
No. The fuel factors cover tailpipe carbon dioxide only, not methane, nitrous oxide or the emissions from producing and delivering the fuel. Reports under a recognised standard usually require a wider boundary, so the result here suits planning and comparison, not formal disclosure.
What if the truck returns empty?
Include the fuel for the whole round trip in the fuel-based method, and say so when you report the result. In the distance method, use a factor that already accounts for typical empty running, or add the return distance with zero cargo as a separate step.
Sources and further reading
- GHG Protocol: Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard (GHG Protocol)
- Transport Canada (Transport Canada)