Measuring emissions is an important first step in freight decarbonization. But measurement alone does not reduce emissions.
In the episode of Smart Freight Conversation: Catalyst Series,
Andy Golding, Director of Strategic Services at Smart Freight Centre, spoke with
Cécile Bray, Global Head of Climate and Environment Programs at
GEODIS, about how one of the world's leading logistics providers is turning emissions data into practical action across multimodal supply chains.
From emissions accounting and operational efficiency to low-emission fuels and employee engagement, the conversation highlighted a clear message: the solutions already exist, and organizations do not need to wait to start reducing emissions.
Measurement Creates the Foundation for Action
GEODIS has been measuring freight emissions for more than a decade and was an early contributor to the development of the GLEC Framework.
For Cécile, measurement is not simply about reporting. It provides the visibility needed to identify opportunities, compare performance, and track progress across different regions and transport modes.
As she explained during the conversation, "You don't manage what you don't measure." However, the goal is not to spend years perfecting data collection. The goal is to use measurement as a tool to support decision-making and drive action.
Decarbonization Is More Than Alternative Fuels
One of the key themes of the discussion was that decarbonization should not begin with alternative fuels.
GEODIS follows five core levers for reducing emissions:
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Reduce freight kilometers
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Shift to more efficient transport modes
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Optimize asset utilization
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Improve energy efficiency
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Transition to alternative energies
While sustainable fuels and electrification are important, Cécile emphasized that companies can often unlock significant reductions through efficiency improvements that are already available today.
For example, GEODIS reduced fuel consumption across its fleet by 7% over the last three years through ongoing efficiency initiatives and continues to identify opportunities to improve energy performance across its facilities.
Giving Customers Lower-Emission Choices
GEODIS is also helping customers make more informed logistics decisions.
One example is its AirSmart offering, which allows customers to compare the efficiency of different aircraft and routes when shipping air freight. In some cases, selecting a more efficient option can reduce emissions by up to 30% without changing the transport mode.
The company is also expanding the use of low-emission fuels. Through an externally verified HVO mass-balance system in European road freight operations, GEODIS helped avoid approximately 9,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in 2025.
These examples demonstrate that meaningful emissions reductions can be achieved today using existing solutions.
Creating a Culture of Action
Technology alone will not deliver freight decarbonization.
GEODIS has invested heavily in training and awareness initiatives, including its Climate Fresk workshops and "Time for Action" climate school, helping employees understand both the causes of climate change and the actions they can take in their daily work.
The objective is to make sustainability part of the organization's culture rather than the responsibility of a single department.
As customer expectations, climate commitments, and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, organizations need employees at every level to understand their role in reducing emissions.
The Time for Action Is Now
The conversation concluded with a simple but powerful message: organizations do not need to wait for future technologies to begin decarbonizing freight.
The tools, solutions, and operational improvements already exist. The challenge is moving beyond measurement and turning insights into action.
For organizations looking to reduce emissions across multimodal supply chains, the first step is understanding where emissions occur. The next step is acting on that information.
Listen to the full episode of Smart Freight Conversations to learn more about GEODIS' approach to freight decarbonization and multimodal logistics. Enroll in the courses below to learn more.
