The Air Pollutants Emissions Methodology for the Logistics Sector provides guidance on measuring emissions in transportation logistics. Developed collaboratively by the Smart Freight Centre, SEI at the University of York, and the Clean Air Fund, it has been incorporated into the most recent version (v3.2) of the GLEC Framework. This update enables organizations to more accurately estimate and report emissions across all modes of transport, supporting sustainable logistics practices.
The Air Pollutants Emissions Methodology for the Logistics Sector signifies a significant advancement in environmental reporting by broadening the scope of reported emissions to include air pollutant emissions, in addition to greenhouse gases. This methodology, which has been based on the CCAC and SEI Integrated guide for business greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission assessment, has been incorporated into the very well-established Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework, adopted by over 200 multinational corporations and aligned with ISO 14083:2023. The GLEC Framework is designed for carriers, logistics service providers, shippers, and policymakers looking to enhance transparency and decision-making. It aligns with major international standards, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). It also supports the goals of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
This update to the GLEC framework will provide users with appropriate methods to quantify air pollutant emissions from all modes of transport—road, non-road mobile machinery, rail, aviation, and shipping. The users will be able to quantify emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM 10 ,PM 2.5), and black carbon (BC) and develop air pollutant emissions inventories that can be used for their sustainability reports or other types of reporting (e.g., under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).
Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk and a major driver of climate and ecosystem degradation. The transport and logistics sectors contribute to air pollutant emissions primarily through fuel combustion, but also through non-exhaust emissions from tyre and brake wear. Addressing air pollutant emissions, wherever these occur within a company’s value chain and transport-related operations, can have substantial benefits on human and ecosystem health.
By integrating air pollutant emissions into existing GHG reporting, organizations can develop comprehensive inventories that enable them to understand the magnitude of air pollutant emissions, identify the largest sources, and determine where action should be taken to improve air quality and reduce air pollution.
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