Reducing Emissions and Contributing to Climate Action
At Bertling Logistics, our approach follows three steps: Measure, Reduce and Contribute. Our August Sustainability KPI focused on putting this approach into practice by asking our global offices to share cases where customers had actively chosen a lower-emission transport solution or decided to make an additional contribution related to the emissions of a specific shipment.
Two recent customer cases show how these different approaches can work in practice.
Reducing emissions through a different transport setup
For an ongoing project from Belgium to Finland, a customer chose an intermodal truck and ferry solution instead of transporting all cargo by road.
Under the selected setup, the cargo is moved by truck to the port in Belgium, while multiple truckloads are consolidated for the main carriage by vessel to Finland. The final leg is again completed by truck.
Based on calculations using our Ecological Footprint calculator, which follows ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework, and an indicative comparison with an all-road scenario, this solution is expected to reduce transport-related CO₂e emissions by approximately 78%. Under the same assumptions, the selected transport concept is estimated to have approximately 30% lower transport costs for the customer.
Around 320 loads have already been transported as part of the ongoing project. The final emissions impact will depend on the actual transport volumes and routing.
The case demonstrates reducing transport emissions does not necessarily mean increasing logistics costs. Reviewing routes, transport modes and consolidation opportunities can create environmental and commercial benefits at the same time.
Contributing in relation to remaining emissions
In another case, a customer in Sweden chose to make an additional contribution related to the calculated emissions of a specific shipment.
After the transport emissions had been calculated, the customer decided to make a contribution corresponding to approximately 4.8 tons of CO₂ through the Supporting Indigenous Peoples to Avoid Deforestation project in Colombia.
The contribution supports a climate project outside the transport itself. It therefore does not reduce the emissions generated by the shipment or make the transport climate-neutral.
Reduction comes first
By making emissions visible in our Ecological Footprint Dashboard in BLU4U and discussing concrete transport alternatives with our customers, we aim to support more informed logistics decisions and further develop practical lower-emission solutions across our global network.
Our priority is to identify opportunities to avoid and reduce transport emissions wherever feasible. For example, through consolidation, optimized routing, alternative transport modes, lower-emission fuels, or other transport solutions.
Where emissions remain, customers may additionally choose to contribute to climate projects.
Would you like to understand the emissions associated with your shipments or explore available lower-emission transport and contribution options? Contact our Sustainability Team sustainability@bertling.com to learn more about our solutions and BLU4U.