How data can help you lower supply chain carbon emissions

A staggering 24% of total greenhouse gas emissions are a result of transport, with road freight, shipping and air freight significantly contributing to this figure. While this statistic suggests that the future of the transport industry is intertwined with sustainability, how can you actively lower supply chain emissions without impacting supply chain performance?

Thanks to data and analytics, the industry is becoming more transparent and efficient, allowing shippers to more easily introduce sustainable practices to help in reducing supply chain emissions . Areas can be highlighted where productivity could be improved and business goals can easily be tracked and monitored. Improved data quality can be used to help reach supply chain emissions targets while improving brand reputation, consumer satisfaction and performance.

Data plays a fundamental role in providing visibility and actionable information to help businesses understand their carbon footprint and act appropriately to make changes.

• What makes carbon data “reliable”?
• Why is carbon data fundamental to any carbon reduction strategy?
• How do Zencargo & Pledge help customers build a sustainable future for their business?
• What happens when emissions can’t be reduced further?

What makes carbon data “reliable”?

Historically, so-called “carbon calculators” have been used in an attempt to understand the impact businesses are having on the environment, but instead, they are providing absurdly poor or inaccurate data.

Pledge understands that businesses need reliable data to build credible sustainability strategies and is committed to leveraging the most accurate data available. The platform calculates emissions in adherence to the strictest methodologies and standards. Any carbon data must be measured and categorised in accordance with a range of established standards, including the GHG Protocol, ISO 14000, and methodologies such as the GLEC framework and ICAO.

Pledge’s platform is accredited by SFC (Smart Freight Centre), the developers of the GLEC framework. The platform also aligns with other globally-recognised calculation methodologies such as those listed above. This provides Zencargo customers with the confidence and trust that measurements are appropriate while providing a firm foundation from which reduction and offsetting strategies can be actioned.

Pledge adheres to globally recognised standards – Pledge.io

Why is carbon data fundamental to any carbon reduction strategy?

It is no secret that there is growing pressure for customers to become more sustainable and this means creating a more sustainable supply chain. Businesses planning to reduce or remove supply chain emissions need to first know how much carbon they are producing, before they can start working on reducing. Success in this arena first relies on a strong foundation built on actionable and insightful data.

Without a footing underpinned by data, it’s impossible to understand which activities are having the biggest impact. Effective carbon footprint measurement built on data and sustainable practices enables businesses to put a stake in the ground, understand their emissions and work towards achieving their reduction and offsetting objectives while being able to demonstrate quantifiable, transparent results. A data view makes it easier to adapt to changes and continuously aggregate, creating a sustainable supply chain, without compromising performance.

These continuous improvements could include:

• Consolidation of shipments
• Optimisation of low-carbon routes
• Reduction of dwell time

How do Zencargo & Pledge help customers build a sustainable future for their business?

Pledge is integrated into the Zencargo platform to allow businesses to access reliable, accurate and real-time data. This allows Zencargo customers to make more sustainable decisions and design sustainable strategies to benefit the business and its consumers.

Pledge provides the ability to aggregate emissions data across every trade lane, supplier and product, and by any mode of transport (road, air, sea, rail) to provide a CO2 measurement for every shipment. This granular visibility allows customers to make smarter, data-driven decisions at a shipment-by-shipment level. Pledge has also created a carbon offsetting marketplace to provide access to high quality carbon offsets from a range of project types that meet different price points.

Pledge provides shipment-level CO2 visibility – Pledge.io

What happens when emissions can’t be reduced further?

Most businesses will ultimately encounter unavoidable emissions that can’t be eliminated using carbon reduction strategies. Once reduction measures have been decided, they need to look into offsetting through carbon removal or prevention projects i.e. projects that remove CO2 from the atmosphere or reduce the amount from being released in the first place.

Pledge’s offsetting projects are rigorously vetted by independent registries like Verra and Gold Standard; and their fractional approach lets businesses build balanced portfolios of verified projects that encompass a range of projects and technologies. And, thanks to the data driven insights, they are provided with an accurate figure that allows them to offset up to 100% of their entire supply chain’s carbon footprint.

Global emissions pathways – Pledge.io

A sustainable way to Navigate Smarter

Businesses have an obligation to the world of tomorrow to address the sustainability challenges of today. By working with Pledge, Zencargo customers can create a sustainable supply chain by actively reducing their environmental impact and improving efficiency.

To find out how Pledge is helping Zencargo customers to reduce carbon footprint in supply chain with advanced data capabilities, make sure to save your space at Navigate Smarter on 28th April! You will be joined by Pledge’s CEO and co-founder, David de Picciotto, to discover more about data-led sustainability.