The question is not whether sustainable transport is important – but how it can be implemented profitably. Because one thing is clear: efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.
Why Sustainable Transport Is Profitable?
Let's first consider the facts: A typical 40-ton truck consumes an average of 32 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. This corresponds to approximately 111.3 kg of CO2 emissions. With an annual mileage of 120,000 kilometers, this adds up to about 133.5 tons of CO2e per vehicle.
When we multiply these numbers by average fleet sizes of 50-100, the optimization potential becomes clear. Even a ten percent efficiency improvement saves several thousand tons of CO2 – and equivalently, money.
Practice shows: Companies with integrated emissions tracking plan more efficient routes and reduce empty runs. At current diesel prices of 1.70 euros per liter, a medium-sized logistics company with 50 vehicles can save six-figure amounts annually – and that's just through intelligent data utilization.
How Precise Emission Data with Our Transport Module Becomes a Competitive Advantage?
However, these savings potentials can only be unlocked with the right technology. Because without precise measurement, no targeted optimization is possible – especially for transport emissions, where the complexity of influencing factors makes detailed data collection essential.
This is where our specialized solution comes in. The "Sustainable Transport" module of the Sustainability Management Platform is designed not only to measure transport emissions but to turn them into a strategic management tool.
Thanks to shipment-based calculation according to ISO 14083 and GLEC v3, the tool uncovers optimization potentials that often remain hidden with blanket considerations using Excel lists or purely using default values.
TÜV-certified calculation methods guarantee comparability and reliability. Companies that rely on standardized procedures report higher acceptance of their sustainability reports among clients.
With our "Sustainable Transport" solution, even complex network structures with multimodal shipment splitting and HUB traffic can be precisely represented. The integrated less-than-truckload logic calculates emissions proportionally per shipment and enables fair emission allocation for mixed loads as well as consolidation via distribution centers. This granularity makes it possible to choose the optimal transport solution for each order.
Improvements in Long-Term Market Position Through Sustainable Transport
Sustainable logistics companies additionally position themselves as future-oriented pioneers who strengthen long-term customer relationships, attract more talent, and improve their financing conditions.
The numbers speak for themselves: 58% of companies feel pressure from customers and consumers to become more sustainable. Those who meet these expectations increase their brand recognition by up to 37%.
At the same time, employers who act sustainably are more attractive to skilled workers. In sustainable companies, work morale is 55% better and employee loyalty is 38% higher than in comparable operations.
Financing can also benefit. The EU taxonomy incentivizes banks to consider sustainability in lending. Sustainable companies should receive better conditions and easier access to capital.
Sustainable Transport Unites Efficiency and Sustainability
The connection between efficiency and sustainability in transport is more direct and profitable than many suspect. Our modern emissions management tool reveals these synergies in real-time.
Unlike conventional systems that only consider time and costs, "Sustainable Transport" expands your decision-making basis with precise emission data. This allows you to make informed decisions at any time that are both CO2-reduced and cost-effective.
A special feature of the tool is the ability to compare different transport modes. For a 1,000-kg shipment from Hamburg to Munich, dispatchers can choose between various options – pure truck transport, intermodal transport, or combinations of different modes of transport. Alternative route planning specifically shows lower-emission transport alternatives and makes CO2 optimization your competitive advantage.
The consideration of all fuel types and various vehicle types – from 3.5-ton vans to 72-ton heavy trucks – as well as sea freight with all container types and sizes enables precise calculations for every use case. Companies report significant fuel savings simply through choosing the optimal vehicle type.
Technology as a Success Factor for Sustainable Transport
The successful implementation of emissions management depends crucially on user-friendliness and automation. Our platform transforms complex calculations into automated processes.
Through API integration into existing Transport Management Systems (TMS), fully automated workflows without interface problems are guaranteed. Shipment data from your TMS automatically flows into our transport module. There, emission values are calculated according to certified standards and provided in our clear dashboards. Subsequently, the calculated emission data can be played directly back into your TMS, creating a closed workflow.
Alternatively, an intuitive mapping function enables semi-automated upload of shipment data without requiring complex IT integration.
The individualized dashboards for freight payers and freight carriers are particularly helpful. These different views prepare relevant information in a target group-specific manner. While freight carriers need detailed information about vehicle utilization, freight payers are interested in total emissions and comparison options.
The Free Quick Check as a Starting Point: Your Entry into Sustainable Transport
For companies that want to gain initial practical experience, we offer a free quick check. Simply send us your transport information in an Excel list – we will evaluate up to 30 shipments anonymously and free of charge for you and provide detailed CO2 data according to the GLEC standard.
You'll receive a granular breakdown of your transport emissions down to the shipment level, including partial route weights and transport activity in tkm. This way, you can test the advantages of precise emission calculation without immediately investing.
The transition to fully automated solutions is then seamless. The module can also be combined with other functions of the Sustainability Management Platform for a holistic sustainability strategy.
Concrete Measures for Sustainable Transport
Optimize Transport:
- Multimodal transport concepts enable environmentally friendly transport and reduce CO2 emissions. Rail transport in particular can even offer time advantages over pure truck transport, while sea freight is particularly suitable for non-time-critical shipments.
- Intelligent fleet planning identifies high-emission vehicles and determines the optimal fleet composition
- E-trucks are becoming increasingly cost-efficient compared to diesel vehicles, with government subsidies for acquisition
Modernize Intralogistics:
- Renewable energies create independence from volatile energy prices and promote green transportation
- Sustainable packaging reduces waste
- Automated systems optimize storage and reduce energy consumption
Create Transparency:
- Supplier integration creates transparency along the entire supply chain
- Real-time emissions monitoring enables immediate responses to unexpected events
- Automated reports fulfill compliance requirements without additional resources
Conclusion
For modern logistics companies, sustainable transport & transparency in transport emissions is increasingly becoming a decisive competitive factor. Companies that already capture and optimize their transport emissions today position themselves as pioneers within the industry.
Those who act now can not only reduce environmental impacts but simultaneously increase their operational efficiency, lower costs, and create long-term new competitive advantages. A sustainable positioning also opens valuable opportunities for new customer acquisition, as more and more companies specifically want to work with environmentally conscious and future-oriented transport companies.
Our Sustainability Management Platform makes sustainability data measurable, manageable, and a strategic management tool. Data-driven decisions, reliable key figures, and automated processes create the foundation for a successful transformation of your transport logistics.
FAQ
What is meant by Sustainable Transport?
The term Sustainable Transport refers to sustainable transportation where CO2 emissions are minimized. This includes optimized route planning, multimodal transport concepts, the use of alternative fuels, and precise measurement of transport emissions for continuous improvement.
Why is Sustainable Transport becoming increasingly important for companies?
The transport sector accounts for about 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. At the same time, pressure from customers, investors, and banks toward sustainable business practices is increasing. Companies that rely on Sustainable Transport benefit from efficiency gains, better market positioning, and simultaneously meet regulatory requirements.
How can Sustainable Transport reduce transport costs?
Through precise emission measurement and data-driven optimization, inefficient routes, empty runs, and suboptimal vehicle selection can be identified.
How does Sustainable Transport contribute to customer retention?
58% of companies feel pressure from customers to become more sustainable. Sustainable Transport makes it possible to meet these expectations and increase brand recognition by up to 37%. Customers increasingly prefer to work with environmentally conscious transport partners.