IDS Logistik has fully switched the calculation of the Carbon Footprint (CFP) and thus the CO2 footprint to the current standard ISO 14083. Since July 15, 2024, emissions have been determined based on the software EcoTransIT World, which is considered the market standard for transportation emissions calculations. With this, the general cargo cooperation aims to strengthen the transparency, accuracy, and future viability of its CO₂ accounting according to its own information. This is said to be a central component for achieving its own climate goals, it was further stated.
Goals for Net-Zero Emissions
IDS had already communicated its reduction goals on the path to climate neutrality in 2024. Thus, the transport and handling-related emissions, calculated as a
percentage compared to the base year 2023 per ton-kilometer, are to be significantly reduced.
It is planned to reduce these by 21 percent by 2030 and by 60 percent by 2040. By no later than 2050, the goal of net-zero emissions should be achieved. The basis for this is a reliable, standardized emissions calculation at the shipment level, automated and compliant with standards.
Automated Calculation with EcoTransIT World and REff Tool
Since the go-live of the new calculation methodology, according to IDS, the fully automated calculation of transport and handling emissions for all national general cargo shipments in its own network takes place every night. All sections of the transport chain, including pre-haul, main-haul, and post-haul, as
well as all handling processes, would be considered. The calculation is based on the following two central components:
- EcoTransIT World (ETW): A tool certified according to ISO 14083 for determining transport emissions. Both primary data, i.e., concrete transport data, and default values, i.e., statistical average values, are used.
- REff Tool from the Fraunhofer Institute: It is used for calculating handling emissions considering the actual energy consumption of IDS terminals.
Full Transparency Retrospectively from 2023
Since 2023 was defined as the reference basis for the emissions goals, all shipments have been retrospectively evaluated using the new methodology, according to the general cargo cooperation. The results for 2023 and 2024 are now available and serve as reference values for
the long-term monitoring of CO₂ reduction targets.
The goal is to continuously improve the CFP calculation. Default values are to be continually replaced with primary data such as vehicle type, propulsion type, or loading capacity, so that the effects of measures like the first BEV-HUB main runs, which would still start in 2025, are reflected in the CFP calculation.
Furthermore, efforts are being made to include events such as second delivery or forwarding of a shipment in the calculation. IDS CEO Michael Bargl:
"Because only what is measured can be managed. The daily standards-compliant CFP measurement is the basis of our climate strategy until 2050. With it, we set a standard for transparency and reliability in general
