Calculation Methodology

This calculator estimates CO₂ emissions from logistics operations using methodologies aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, EN16258, and GLEC Framework. Emissions are calculated based on user inputs for distance, weight, vehicle type, fuel, and other parameters, using well-to-tank (WTT) and tank-to-wheel (TTW) emission factors where applicable.

Road and Overseas Transport

• Formula: CO₂ (kg) = Distance (km) × Number of Trips × Emission Factor (kg CO₂/km)
• Emission factors are scaled by vehicle mass relative to a 3.5T reference vehicle (3500kg).
• Vehicle-specific factors account for fuel type (diesel, petrol, electric, hybrid).

Air Freight

• Formula: CO₂ (kg) = Distance (km) × Weight (kg) × 0.5 kg CO₂/kg/km
• Factor includes well-to-wing emissions for cargo aircraft.

Sea Freight

• Formula: CO₂ (kg) = Distance (km) × Weight (kg) × 0.015 kg CO₂/kg/km
• Factor reflects average container ship emissions, including WTT.

Crating/Packaging

• Formula: CO₂ (kg) = Max(Weight × Material Factor, Volume × Density × Material Factor)
• Uses higher of weight-based or dimension-based estimate for conservatism.

Warehousing

• Formula: CO₂ (kg) = Storage Hours × Electricity Usage (kWh/hour) × 0.233 kg CO₂/kWh
• Uses UK grid average emission factor, including transmission losses.

Emission Factors

Category	Details	Factor	Source
2.4T Armoured (1483kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.078/0.081/0.017/0.047 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) van factors based on mass ratio
3.5T Small Armoured (3135kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.166/0.172/0.037/0.100 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) van factors based on mass ratio
3.5T Medium Armoured (2975kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.157/0.163/0.035/0.095 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) van factors based on mass ratio
5.5T Large Armoured (3900kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.206/0.214/0.046/0.125 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) truck factors based on mass ratio
7.2T Armoured Luton (4315kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.228/0.237/0.051/0.138 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) truck factors based on mass ratio
18T Armoured Truck (11240kg)	Diesel/Petrol/Electric/Hybrid	0.594/0.617/0.132/0.358 kg CO₂/km	Scaled from DEFRA (2023) HGV factors based on mass ratio
Air Freight	Per kg per km	0.5 kg CO₂/kg/km	ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator (2023)
Sea Freight	Per kg per km	0.015 kg CO₂/kg/km	IMO GHG Strategy (2023), GLEC Framework (2022)
Materials	Wood/Cardboard/Plastic/Metal	0.39/0.68/1.91/2.75 kg CO₂/kg	EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM) (2023)
Electricity	UK Grid Average	0.233 kg CO₂/kWh	DEFRA (2023), IEA (2023)
Crate Density	Wood/Cardboard/Plastic/Metal	600/150/950/2700 kg/m³	Industry standard material density data

Sources and References

• Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Global standard for emissions accounting.
• EcoTransIT World: Emission factors and methodology for multimodal transport.
• DEFRA (UK): Conversion factors for road vehicles and electricity (2023).
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): GHG Strategy for maritime emissions (2023).
• ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator: Air freight emission factors (2023).
• GLEC Framework: Global Logistics Emissions Council framework for transport emissions (2022).
• EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM): Emission factors for materials (2023).
• International Energy Agency (IEA): Electricity grid emission factors (2023).
• EN16258 Standard: European standard for transport emissions calculation.