Video – Q&A with Marcus Lomax (2 of 3): Carbon Accounting and Reporting in Relation to ISO 14083

Ep. 1-3 with Dr. Alan Lewis: Driving Change: The Future of Sustainable Freight

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Understanding Transport Activity and ISO 14083 Requirements
In this Q&A series episode, Marcus Lomax, a Technical Manager at SFC, explores transport activity, the different methods for calculating distances, and why ISO 14083 emphasizes using the Shortest Feasible Distance (SFD) or Great Circular Distance (GCD).

What is transport activity?
Transport activity is a metric that combines the quantity of freight, typically measured in tonnes or TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), with the distance it travels. This is why transport activity is often expressed as tonne-kilometers or TEU-kilometers. It reflects the total movement of goods over a given distance.

Why does ISO 14083 require specific distance measures for transport activity?
ISO 14083 specifies that the distance used in transport activity calculations should either be the shortest feasible distance or the great circle distance.
  • The shortest feasible distance is the most direct route between loading and unloading points, considering the overall journey.
  • The great circle distance, commonly used in air transport, measures the straight-line distance over the earth’s surface, or "as the crow flies."
A third option is the actual distance traveled, but this is typically only available to the carrier. ISO 14083 favors the shortest feasible or great circle distances because they are universally accessible across the supply chain, ensuring fair and consistent calculations.

Why not use the actual distance traveled?
Using the actual distance would unfairly attribute a larger share of emissions to cargo delivered later in a multi-stop journey. ISO 14083’s recommendation of the shortest feasible or great circle distances allows for a fairer allocation of emissions across all cargo in a route, making it a better benchmarking tool for all supply chain actors.

What’s next?
Stay tuned for our next video, where Marcus will explore the importance of reporting both GHG emissions and emission intensities. We'll also discuss the key information that must be included in an emissions report, and break down the differences between organizational-level and transport service-level reporting under ISO 14083.
To understand more about GLEC Framework and ISO 14083, enroll in the courses below.

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