Part I - p. 1

Green Logistics Method

Ecological assessment

of logistics services

Status: version 1.0, 31.03.2015

Part I - p. 2

The Green Logistics method for the ecological assessment of logistics services is the collaboration

result of the project consortium »Green Logistics« as well as the specialist departments in the

respective companies and has been discussed with the stakeholder group of the Green Logistics

project.

The project is part of the EffizienzCluster LogistikRuhr, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of

Education and Research (BMBF) (Funding code 01IC10L06, http://www.green-logistics-network.de/).

In the following, the Green Logistics method’s procedure, formulas, assumptions and restrictions are

summarized.

An additional »Supplement« covers relevant parameters, emission and conversion factors,

classifications etc., to facilitate the application of the method.

Contact:

Kerstin Dobers

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (project manager Green Logistics)

kerstin.dobers@iml.fraunhofer.de, tel. office: +49 231 9743 360

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Str. 2-4, 44227 Dortmund, Germany, www.iml.fraunhofer.de

Introduction

Part I - p. 3

Content

Calculation of emissions

Validation of scope

Allocation of emissions

General framework

Declaration

Procedure

Screening phase (step 1)

Annex

Supplement: Parameters of Green Logistics method

Part I - p. 4

CH4 - Methane

CL - Client

CO - Carbon monoxide

CO2 - Carbon dioxide

CO2e - Carbon dioxide equivalent

EI99 - eco-indicator 99

EU - European Union

ETS - Emissions Trading System

GCD - Great circle distance

Geo - Geographical unit

GHG - Greenhouse gas

GWP - Global warming potential

HC - Hydro carbons

HFCs - Hydrofluorocarbons

IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change

ISO - International organization for standardization

LC - Life cycle

LOLO - Lift-on Lift-off

Abbreviations

LS - Logistics service

LSP - Logistics service provider

MEP - Mechanical Electrical Plumbing

NF3 - Nitrogen Trifluoride

N2O - Nitrous oxide

NOx - Nitrogen oxides

OU - Organizational unit

PFCs - Perfluorocarbons

RFS - Road Feeder Service

RORO - Roll-on Roll-of

SF6 - Sulfur Hexafluoride

SO2 - Sulfur dioxide

TEU - Twenty-foot equivalent unit

TTW - Tank-to-wheel

ULD - Unit load device

UNFCCC - United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change

WTW - Well-to-wheel

Part I - p. 5

Symbols

Symbol Unit Explanation Erklärung

𝐴 [m²] Floor area Grundfläche

𝑐 [-] Correction factor Korrekturfaktor

𝑑 [km] Transport distance Transportentfernung

𝑒 [kg/…],

[MJ/…]

Specific emissions or

energy consumption

spezifische Emissionen

oder Energieverbrauch

𝐸 [kg, MJ] Emission or energy

consumption

Emission oder

Energieverbrauch

𝐸𝐹𝐴 [kg CO2e/...] Emission factor Emissionsfaktor

𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 [-] Service item Leistungsobjekt

𝑚 [kg] Mass of goods Warenbruttogewicht

𝑝𝑘𝑚 [pkm] Passenger kilometer Personenkilometer

𝑄 [kg], [l], [m²],

[m³], [kWh], ... Quantity Menge, Anzahl

𝑞 [kg/km],

[l/km],… Specific quantity spez. Menge

𝑅 [1/d] Inventory turnover

ratio Umschlaghäufigkeit

𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑐𝑘 [-] Stock Bestand

𝑠𝑡𝑝 [-] Average number of

stop overs

Durchschnittliche Anzahl

an Zwischenlandungen

Symbol Unit Explanation Erklärung

𝑡𝑘𝑚 [tkm] Transport

performance Transportleistung

𝑇 [d] Time Dauer

𝑤𝑑 [-] Working days Arbeitstage

𝑣 [km/h] Speed Geschwindigkeit

𝑉 [m3] Volume Volumen

% [-] Ratio Anteil

𝛼 [-]

Allocation factor

refrigerated

(storage)

Allokationsfaktor gekühlter

Lager

𝛽 [-]

Allocation factor

order-picking

(storage)

Allokationsfaktor

Kommissionierung

𝛾 [-]

Allocation factor

refrigerated

transport

Allokationsfaktor gekühlter

Transport

Part I - p. 6

Indices (1)

Index Explanation Erklärung

𝑎𝑜 Allocation objective Allokationsziel

𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 Administration Verwaltung

𝑎𝑚𝑏 Ambient ungekühlt, trocken

𝑎𝑖𝑟 Air transport Lufttransport

𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑜 Level of automation Automatisierungsgrad

𝑎𝑢𝑥 Auxiliary Zusatz-

𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 Barge, inland water transport Binnenschifffahrt

𝑐 Container Ladeeinheit

𝑐𝑎𝑟 Travel by car Autoreise

𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 Cardboard Papier, Pappe, Kartonage

𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 Client level Kundenebene

𝐶𝑂2𝑒 CO2 equivalents CO2-Äquivalente

𝑑𝑐 Distribution center incl.

order-picking

Distributionsstandort inkl.

Kommissionieren

𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑡 Default value Vorgabewert

𝑒 Empty leer

𝑒𝑐 Energy carrier Energieträger

𝑒𝑐 (ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔) Energy carriers for heating Heizenergieträger

𝑒𝑐 (𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟) Energy carriers for others than

heating

Energieträger für

Nichtheizzwecke

𝑒𝑖 Environmental indicator Umweltindikator

𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐 Electricity Strom

𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐 − 𝑚𝑖𝑥 Electricity-mix Strommix

𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑒 Employee Mitarbeiter

𝑒𝑥𝑡 External process (Scope 3) externer Prozess (Scope 3)

Index Explanation Erklärung

𝑔 Goods, cargo Ware, Transportgut

𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 General Übergeordnet

𝑔&𝑝 Goods and passenger Fracht und Passagier

ℎ Hour Stunde

𝑖 Variable i Variable i

𝑖𝑛𝑓 Infrastructure Infrastruktur

𝑖𝑛𝑡 Internal process (Scope 1&2) interner Prozess (Scope 1&2)

𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 Service item Leistungsobjekt

𝑗 Variable j Variable j

𝑘 Variable k Variable k

𝑘𝑚 Distance Entfernung

𝑙𝑠 Logistics service Logistikdienstleistung

𝑚 Material Material

𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 Main Haupt-

𝑚𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 Mixed Gemischt

𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒 Transport mode Verkehrsträger

𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖-𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑙 Multi-modal Multi-modal

𝑚𝑤 Material and waste Material und Abfall

𝑚² Floor area Grundfläche

𝑚³ Volume Volumen

𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 National national

𝑜𝑢𝑡 Outgoing goods/freight Warenausgang

Part I - p. 7

Indices (2)

Index Explanation Erklärung

𝑝 or

𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟

Person/passengers

(employees)

Person/Passagier

(Mitarbeiter)

𝑝𝑘𝑚 Passenger kilometer Personenkilometer

𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 Travel by plane Flugreise

𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 Plastics Kunststoff

𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑙 Rail transport Schienentransport

refr Refrigerant, refrigerated Kältemittel, gekühlt

𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑 Road transport Straßentransport

𝑠 Storage Lagerung

𝑠𝑒𝑎 Sea, maritime transport Hochsee-, Nearshore-

Schifffahrt

𝑠ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑡 Shunting Rangieren

𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 Logistics site

(transshipment/storage)

Logistikstandort

(Umschlag/Lager)

𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐 Company-specific Unternehmensspezifisch

𝑡 Transport Transport

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 Total, sum Gesamt, Summe

𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 Travel by train Zugreise

𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙 Travel Reise

𝑡𝑠 Transshipment Umschlag

𝑣 Vehicle type, transport means Transportmittel

𝑤 Waste Abfall

Index Explanation Erklärung

(𝐴) Calculation approach A Berechnungsansatz A

(𝐵) Calculation approach B Berechnungsansatz B

(𝐶) Calculation approach C Berechnungsansatz C

𝛼 Allocation factor refrigerated

storage

Allokationsfaktor gekühltes

Lager

∗ Extended by the allocated

general emissions

Um die allokierten

übergeordneten Emissionen

erhöht

Ø Average durchschnittlich

% Ratio anteilig

3.1 Allocation step 3.1 Allokationsschritt 3.1

40 𝑡 Truck class 40 t LKW-Klasse 40 t

100% 100% full 100% gefüllt

Part I - p. 8

Content

Calculation of emissions

Validation of scope

Allocation of emissions

General framework

Declaration

Procedure

Screening phase (step 1)

Annex

Supplement: Parameters of Green Logistics method

Part I - p. 9

The overall objective is the realization of a method that

- Allows the ecological comparison between logistics

service providers and, if necessary, among modes of

transport

- Is pragmatic and substantiated at the same time (effort vs.

significance)

- Considers the demands of the market, users, society and

policy

- Provides information on optimization opportunities to

companies

- Covers all relevant emissions of logistics services

Field of application (users)

- Logistics service providers (LSP) for goods

- Organizers of logistics services

Objective of

Green Logistics method

Part I - p. 10

Transparency

Accuracy

Consistency

Completeness

Relevancy

Basic principles of the

ecological assessment

Appropriate reflection of environmental indicators(1), such as emissions of

the considered logistics services

Coverage of all sub-aspects relevant for logistics services

Sub-aspects which are not included shall be disclosed and reasons shall be

stated for their exclusion

Consistent assessment allows meaningful performance tracking of

emissions over time

Changes in assessment scope, input data and other methodological issues

are likewise transparently documented

All relevant issues are addressed to ensure a subsequent inspection

Relevant assumption procedures for data collection and data sources are

disclosed

Quantification of emissions is neither systematically above nor below reality

and uncertainties are reduced as far as practicable

Balancing on different level of detail is possible:

Main drivers of emissions are calculated as exact as possible

Processes with minor share are considered at a simplified balancing

level

(1) The Green Logistics method offers an assessment framework for the

following environmental indicators: energy consumption; GHG, SO2, NOx,

CO, HC emissions.

Part I - p. 11

Emissions type Scope Definition Examples

Direct emissions Scope 1 Emissions from operations that are owned

or controlled by the reporting company

Emissions from

combustion in owned or

controlled vehicles,

assets, boilers etc.;

emissions from loss of

refrigerant

Indirect emissions

Scope 2

Emissions from the generation of

purchased or acquired electricity, steam,

heating or cooling consumed by the

reporting company

Use of purchased

electricity, steam,

heating or cooling

Scope 3

All indirect emissions (not included in

scope 2) that occur in the value chain of

the reporting company, including both

upstream(2) and downstream(3) emissions

Sub-contracted

transportation,

production and

transportation of

purchased products

Overview of the scopes (GHG Protocol)(1)

(1) [Scope 3 Standard, Table 5.1]

(2) Related to purchased or acquired goods and services

(3) Related to sold goods and services

Part I - p. 12

Greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions

Activity Data

Emission factor

In accordance with UNFCCC/ Kyoto Protocol/ GHG Protocol:

CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs(2)

Expressed by carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e); aggregated

and converted by using global warming potential (GWP) values

(100 years) as published by IPCC see »Supplement«

No additional radiative forcing is covered in case of air transport

Quantitative measurement on the level of activity that results in

GHG emissions; e.g., liters of fuel consumed or kilograms of

material purchased

Factor that converts activity data into GHG emissions data;

e.g., kg CO2e emitted per liter of fuel consumed

Use of life cycle emission factors, which include emissions that

occur in the life cycle of the material / product / fuel

(well-to-wheel (WTW) emission factors)

Definition of GHG emissions and data(1) (1)

(1) [Technical Guidance Scope 3, p. 14ff]

(2) SF6 and NF3 are irrelevant for logistics services

Part I - p. 13

Primary data

Secondary data

Data from specific activities within a company’s value chain

Including data provided by suppliers or others

Collected by e.g. meter readings, purchase records, utility bills,

direct monitoring, mass balance, or others including sampling

Data other than primary data including

Industry-average-data (e.g., from published databases,

statistics, literature studies and industry associations)

Financial data

Proxy data(2)

Definition of GHG emissions and data(1) (2)

(1) [Technical Guidance Scope 3, p. 14ff]

(2) In certain cases, companies may use specific data from one activity in the

value chain to estimate emissions for another activity in the value chain.

This type of data is considered proxy data (secondary data).

Part I - p. 14

Demarcation of assessment aspects

in logistics services (1)

Source Sub-aspect Characteristics/alternatives

(examples)

Road

transport

Transport carried out on roads (own vehicle fleet, sub-

contractors); consideration of drive, additives, provisioning

of transportation means(1); upstream activities(2) for means

of transport, infrastructure, operating power

Tours between locations,

collection/distribution tours,

pre-/on-carriage of intermodal

transport (e.g., road feeder

service), (un-)refrigerated

Rail

transport Transport carried out by rail (own trains, sub-contractors);

consideration of drive, additives, provisioning of

transportation means(1); upstream activities(2) for means of

transport, infrastructure, operating power

Short/long-distance traffic,

combined traffic (e.g. rolling

road), (un-)refrigerated

Inland

navigation Transport carried out on inland water ways, (own ships, sub-

contractors); consideration of drive, additives, provisioning of

transportation means(1); upstream activities(2) for means of

transport, infrastructure, operating power

Ferries, RORO or LOLO

ships, (un-)refrigerated,

containers, piece goods (e.g.,

wind turbines)

Maritime

navigation Maritime freight transport (own ships, sub-contractors);

consideration of drive, additives, provisioning of

transportation means(1); upstream activities(2) for means of

transport, infrastructure, operating power

High seas and short sea

shipping, RORO or LOLO

ships, (un-)refrigerated,

containers, bulk goods

(1) E.g. balance traffic

(2) E.g. manufacturing of transportation means, supply of energy carriers

Part I - p. 15

Demarcation of assessment aspects

in logistics services (2)

Source Sub-aspect Characteristics/alternatives

(examples)

Air transport

Air freight transport (own aircrafts, sub-contractors);

consideration of drive, additives, provisioning of

transportation means(1); upstream activities(2) for means

of transport, infrastructure, operating power

Freight only, belly freight, mail

transportation in passenger

aircrafts

Logistics

sites

Transport at a logistics site (e.g. yard logistics, tug drives

in the port, shunting); conveying, sorting, warehousing;

consideration of drive, energy, transport safety

measures, waste; upstream activities for operating

power, materials (own and external sites)

With/without building shell,

(un-)refrigerated; warehouse,

distribution/trans-shipment

hub/center, mail/parcel center,

(intermodal) terminal, port

Administration

Energy demand for e.g. lighting, IT, heating/cooling

De-/centralized administration

Employee

commuting

Transport of employees between home and work by

company-owned and employee-owned transportation

means, by public passenger transport

Company car, private car,

public (train, bus, subway,

tramway), pedestrian, bike

Business trips Passenger transport carried out via road, rail, air, water

ways (company-owned, sub-contracted)

Flight, company/rental car,

private car, public (train, bus,

subway, tramway), pedestrian,

bike

(1) E.g. balance traffic

(2) E.g. manufacturing of transportation means, supply of energy carriers

Part I - p. 16

Exclusion of sub-aspects

with no relevant

environmental impact for

logistics services(1)

Production of refrigerants, as well as, provision of dry ice

Cleaning processes of transportation means

Manufacturing and demolition of the building shell at logistics

sites or administration sites

Manufacturing processes of intralogistics systems

(e.g., conveyor technology)

Transport of airplanes by tow tractors

Sewage treatment at logistics sites

Home office activities of employees

Hotel accommodations on business trips

Further to be specified (optional)

Demarcation of assessment aspects

in logistics services (3)

(1) [Green Logistics system definition 2012]

Part I - p. 17

Approach A

Consumption

based approach

Company-specific consumption data (e.g., fuel in liter, packing foil in kg,

electricity in kWh) is used for the calculation of emissions.

This is a detailed approach that requires the highest degree of data

collection and data analysis (primary data).

Approach A is to be used by all company processes (scope 1/2),

external transportation and processes at external logistics sites

(scope 3) in the long-term.

Approach B

Distance based

approach

Complementary approach for the area of transportation:

Use of company-specific data (e.g., composition of the fleet in use and

degrees of utilization) for the description of transport performance in

combination with database values.

This approach is allowed for processes relating to scope 3.

Approach C

Key figure based

approach

Company-specific key figures are used for process description, e.g.,

transport performance on the road. These key figures are converted by

means of average emission factors, whereas industry averages for the

logistics services (e.g., used technology, average effectiveness of the

process) are taken as a basis.

Approach C is used in the first step of Green Logistics method to

estimate the relevance of the emission sources.

Approach C may only be applied in the actual assessment (step 2)

for less relevant sub-processes, scope 3 business trips and

employee commuting.

Basic calculation approaches and their

level of detail

Part I - p. 18

Green Logistics method defines a minimum standard, higher levels of detail are optional.

Reasons for a more detailed approach (i.e. more company-specific) e.g.,

- Detailed objectives of assessment results, allocation of emissions and reporting

(e.g., customer-specific)

- Expected impact of sub-aspects on overall results

- Options of influencing emissions of specific sub-aspects, monitoring of improvements

- Change in sub-contracted services/processes

- Requirements of stakeholders or shareholders

- Expected general business risks

Background of selected level of detail of

ecological assessment

Step 2

Step 1 Screening phase

Approach A

Approach B

Approach C

Transport: Is

data on fleet

composition(1)

on-hand?

Is it a

scope 1/2 or a

relevant scope 3

process?

Is activity

data

on-hand? no yes

yes

Company-specific

Industry average

no

yes

no

(1) E.g. vehicle classes, load factors