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Methodology — EN
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Methodology — EN

Methodology for calculating carbon intensity

The Eco-Freight Score for a given shipment is calculated on the basis of its carbon intensity:

CarbonIntensity=E/(W∗D)CarbonIntensity = E / (W * D)CarbonIntensity=E/(W∗D)

where:

  • EEE = WTW CO2e emissions from transport, in grams
  • WWW = cargo weight, in tons
  • DDD = transport distance as the crow flies, in kilometers

To obtain the carbon intensity of a set of transports, simply perform the following calculation:

CarbonIntensity=∑i=1nEi/∑i=1n(Wi∗Di)CarbonIntensity = \sum_{i=1}^{n}E_{i} / \sum_{i=1}^{n}(W_i * D_i)CarbonIntensity=i=1∑n​Ei​/i=1∑n​(Wi​∗Di​)

where nnn is the number of transports taken into account.

This is a weighted average, since the equation can be rewritten as follows:

CarbonIntensity=∑i=1nCarbonIntensityi∗[(Wi∗Di)/∑k=1n(Wk∗Dk)]CarbonIntensity = \sum_{i=1}^{n}CarbonIntensity_{i} * [ (W_i * D_i) / \sum_{k=1}^{n}(W_k * D_k) ]CarbonIntensity=i=1∑n​CarbonIntensityi​∗[(Wi​∗Di​)/k=1∑n​(Wk​∗Dk​)]

where for each transport iii among nnn the weighting factor is :

(Wi∗Di)/∑k=1n(Wk∗Dk)(W_i * D_i) / \sum_{k=1}^{n}(W_k * D_k)(Wi​∗Di​)/∑k=1n​(Wk​∗Dk​)

Methodology for defining associated letters

Depending on the transport's carbon intensity result, it is assigned a letter A, B, C, D and E defined by an interval.

The allocation table valid since 30/02/2023 is as follows:

A
< 13 gCO2 / t.km
12%
7%
Eco-Freight Score letter
Carbone Intensity
Distribution of Ovrsea’s transports
Distribution of Ovrsea’s customers
B
13-25 gCO2 / t.km
24%
22%
C
25-250 gCO2 / t.km
27%
39%
D
250-850 gCO2 / t.km
25%
26%
E
>850 gCO2 / t.km
12%
6%

Useful data and tools for calculating carbon intensity

WWW cargo weight

The weight of the payload moved. In the case of containerized transport, the weight of the container must be deducted. As the vast majority of international shipments are carried on pallets, the weight of the pallets is included.

DDD distance of transport as the crow flies

The geodesic distance (as the crow flies) between the point of departure of the goods and the point of arrival.

💡
Why geodesic distances are considered ? The Eco-Freight Score aims to assess the carbon impact of a service. The service being to transport a good which is evaluated based on its weight, between two locations, which are evaluated based on the distance between them. It is important to consider this weight and distance regardless of the specific transport solution chosen. Specifically, the distances traveled from point A to point B vary depending on the mode of transportation, primarily due to physical constraints. For example, when transporting goods from Asia to Europe, a ship travels twice as far as a plane because it is limited by sea routes.

EEE WTW CO2e emissions from transport

This is the parameter most sensitive to variations.

Its calculation must necessarily comply with the following criteria:

  • Granularity: the calculation is repeated for each transport.
  • IT source: use a CO2 emission calculation tool approved by the GLEC (Global Logistics Emissions Council), API calculation, or from a web interface.
  • Emission scope: well-to-wheel (WTW), from fuel production to combustion.
  • Transport scope:
    • Door-to-door: the calculation must include 3 segments:
      • Pre-carriage: from the warehouse to the departure port (or airport).
      • Main carriage: from port to port.
      • On-carriage: from the arrival port to the destination warehouse.
    • Note: temporarily allowed to neglect ONE segment (pre or on-carriage) if it is carried out by a supplier in a foreign country. A proxy will be proposed soon. No segment carried out in France can be neglected.
  • Greenhouse gas inventory: use CO2 equivalent (gCO2e) based on a 100-year global warming potential (GWP100) - including methane emissions.
  • Transport mode: must be specified for each segment.
  • Motorization: the specific vehicle's energy efficiency is not necessary, an average for a representative range is satisfactory.
  • Refrigerated vehicle/container: must be specified.
  • Actual route or at least the average distance on the line.
  • Carbon intensity of fuel or electricity. In the case of a transport subject to the Book and Claim system, indicate the intensity of the subscribed offer and not the actual vehicle consumption.

Next steps

These data collection methodologies will evolve with the deployment of new transport modes and technologies, or with the improvement of measurement tools and methodologies.

💪 Help us enhance the methodology!

Start using Eco-Freight Score today!

Eco-Freight Score consists of three indissociable elements :

  1. The name 🇬🇧Presentation — EN
  2. The methodology
    3. 🇬🇧Methodology — EN
  3. The visuals Click here to download the labels for free.

Please note that the use of the score is only possible based on the methodology!

✉️ Have questions? Need help?

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