What Is Primary Data? Why It Matters for Emissions Accounting

What Is Primary Data? Why It Matters for Emissions Accounting

Write your awesome label here.
In this video, Marcus Lomax, Senior Technical Manager, and Violetta Matzoros, Senior Technical Manager, Data and Digitalization at Smart Freight Centre, explore one of the key building blocks of accurate emissions reporting in logistics: primary data. With new regulations and growing pressure to decarbonize, understanding what primary data is and how to use it is more important than ever.

Serious efforts to reduce logistics emissions must begin with the data used to measure them — and that begins with primary data.

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is primary data in the context of freight emissions?
ISO 14038 defines primary data as values obtained through direct measurement. In practice, that means actual energy or fuel consumption, the mass of freight transported or the specific distance traveled.

But the most critical component is energy data — how much fuel or electricity was used during transport. That's what directly determines emissions, and that's what we want to measure as accurately as possible.

So why is primary data so important for emissions reporting? 
There are two reasons why primary data is important for emissions reporting. First, regulations are increasingly requiring it. ISO 14083 and the existing CountEmissionsEU regulation both clearly state that primary data should be used wherever it is available.

Second, companies need accurate emissions data to measure real progress on decarbonization. When relying on averages or outdated assumptions, organizations risk overlooking actual emission hotspots and missing opportunities to reduce them.

Where does this data come from and why is it so difficult to get?
 Primary data stems from transport service operators or the carriers. Because they own  or operate the vehicles and  ships and they track energy and fuel directly from the  onboard units.

But here is the issue: the data doesn't always get shared with the Transport Service Organizers (Logistics Service Providers), or the Transport Service Users (Shippers). The challenge is especially big in road freight, which is fragmented and full of SME carriers who may not have the systems or incentives to share the data.  

What counts as primary data in emissions calculations?
It can be understood in two parts. First, greenhouse gas emissions are calculated based on actual fuel or energy consumption multiplied by the relevant fuel emission factor. If the number of liters of diesel or kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed is known, that constitutes primary data.

Second, transport activity is based on the mass of freight and the distance traveled. These are used to calculate emission intensity. However, energy data remains the core of primary emissions data. Distance and mass support allocation, but real energy use determines emissions — and that is what matters most.

If I’m a logistics service provider or a shipper, what should I do now to get ready? 
First, start the conversation with carriers. Request emission intensity values that are ISO 14083 compliant, reference the latest GLEC Framework fuel emission factors, and are based on primary data.

Second, build systems for data collection and exchange. Perfection should not get in the way of progress. Creating a habit of sharing primary data is key. Green freight programs such as Clean Cargo and Clean Air Transport, as well as data exchange protocols such as iLEAP, are effective tools for enabling the sharing of primary data.

Finally, align with established standards. ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework provide the methodology for logistics emissions calculation. Trainings at Smart Freight Centre Academy support the practical application of these standards. Primary data is not just a technical detail; it is essential for credible accounting and real climate action.

Without primary data, emissions remain estimates. With primary data, informed and measurable progress in freight decarbonization becomes possible.

Do you want to learn more about primary data in emissions accoutning? Enroll in our courses below:

Courses Related to this subject: