If we want to reach the Paris Climate Agreement Target, all transport modes need to take action to reduce the CO2 – companies need to report and reduce emissions, and to collaborate with one another. The GLOBAL LOGISTICS EMISSION COUNCIL (GLEC) has developed the first framework in 2016, in order to calculate and report emissions in a relatively simple approach. Based on feedback from many GLEC partners, an improved version of the framework is now available.

The framework not only provides a methodology for calculation but also advice on how to use these results. In chapter 3, a paragraph is dedicated to Inland Waterways on pages 35 – 36.

This framework suggests that depending on the vessel used inland waterway can offer a low energy, low emission alternative for medium and long transport.

Basically, the suggestion is to look at 2 KPIs:

  • A total emission value (kg CO2e)
  • An emission intensity value (kg CO2e / tonne-km)

You can find the report “GLOBAL LOGISTICS EMISSION COUNCIL FRAMEWORK” in the section: PUBLICATIONS.