In this blog:
- Why is emissions reporting such a challenge?
- What makes emissions reporting in logistics so complex?
- How does nShift Emissions Tracker close this gap?
- How does emissions reporting support regulatory and ESG requirements?
- How does shipment-level emissions tracking drive growth?
- From reporting to action: turning data into progress
- Take control of your emissions data
Why is emissions reporting such a challenge?
Carbon reporting is no longer optional. It is both a regulatory requirement and a customer expectation. Businesses are under pressure to provide transparent data that demonstrates real progress on sustainability. Addressing this challenge matters because better data unlocks better decisions. Companies that can measure emissions accurately are better positioned to act, differentiate, and grow. The opportunity is clear, but so is the challenge: most current reporting relies on estimates or broad averages rather than shipment-specific data. These averages mask the true environmental impact of each delivery, leaving retailers, carriers, and supply chain teams with limited visibility and an incomplete picture of their progress.
Imagine two retailers. The first relies on averages. They can only tell customers that their typical delivery produces a certain amount of CO₂. The second uses shipment-level data. They can show the actual emissions for each order, identify which routes are most efficient, and demonstrate year over year reductions. Which brand is more likely to win customer trust and meet regulatory demands? The difference lies in the quality of data.
What makes emissions reporting in logistics so complex?
The logistics environment is dynamic and multi-layered. Several factors make it difficult to achieve precise emissions reporting:
- Limited visibility into vehicle type, route taken, and fuel used for each shipment
- The timing of deliveries is influenced by periods of high and low demand, which can significantly impact efficiency.
- Carrier operating models, which often sit outside the control of merchants or platforms
- Variability across markets, where carrier maturity and reporting standards differ widely
As a result, many businesses receive incomplete or inconsistent data. Without accurate, comparable information, it is almost impossible to prove progress, identify areas for improvement, or prepare for the regulatory requirements that are quickly approaching.
How does nShift Emissions Tracker close this gap?
nShift tackles these challenges by integrating carrier-provided shipment data and accurately estimating CO₂ emissions when data isn't available. This ensures comprehensive, reliable, and precise insights into emissions. Rather than relying on broad assumptions, the solution utilizes modeled data from carrier-supplied inputs like truck and fuel type. This approach establishes a foundation of accuracy that general averages simply cannot achieve.
This platform consolidates all data into a single, comprehensive view, providing retailers and supply chain teams with complete visibility of their emissions across carriers and regions. By leveraging Custom Emission Factors, teams can benchmark performance, comparing emissions across partners, routes, and geographies. With this enhanced transparency, businesses can pinpoint emission hotspots, explore lower-emission carriers or transportation modes, and continuously refine their delivery strategies for greater sustainability.
In other words, nShift Emissions Tracker goes beyond reporting. It provides the tools to manage and reduce emissions in a practical, measurable way.
How does emissions reporting support regulatory and ESG requirements?
The regulatory landscape around emissions reporting is tightening. Frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the EU, the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) methodology, and broader ESG reporting standards all demand greater precision and transparency. Businesses can no longer rely on broad averages without risking credibility.
nShift Emissions Tracker supports compliance by:
- Aligning with the GLEC methodology, ensuring consistency with recognized global standards
- Feeding accurate shipment-level data into CSRD reporting requirements
- Providing transparent and verifiable metrics for ESG reporting and investor communications
This ensures that sustainability reporting is not only compliant but also credible, able to withstand scrutiny from regulators, stakeholders, and consumers alike.
How does shipment-level emissions tracking drive growth?
Emissions tracking becomes a growth lever when it is directly tied to commercial outcomes:
- Win customers and improve conversion: Verified emissions data allows retailers to present greener delivery options clearly at checkout. Customers who value sustainability are more likely to complete their purchase and return to buy again.
- Cut costs and protect margins: Shipment-level insights highlight inefficient routes or carrier choices. By addressing these hotspots, businesses reduce both emissions and operational costs.
- Stay ahead of regulation and safeguard revenue: Being ready for CSRD and aligned with GLEC ensures compliance, avoids disruption, and builds trust with investors and partners.
By linking sustainability data to customer experience, efficiency, and compliance, emissions tracking moves from a reporting obligation to a driver of measurable business growth.
From reporting to action: Turning data into progress
One of the key insights from working with nShift Emissions Tracker is that the biggest barrier to meaningful progress is not a lack of ambition, but a lack of actionable data. Shipment-level visibility closes the gap between intention and execution.
With granular insights, supply chain teams can test different delivery models, pilot alternative fuels, or shift more shipments to bicycle couriers or PUDO (pick up and drop off) points where available. The system also enables continuous improvement. By monitoring emissions performance over time, businesses can track the impact of their interventions, refine their strategy, and demonstrate measurable progress. This transforms reporting from a static compliance exercise into a dynamic management tool.
Take control of your emissions data
By moving from broad averages to shipment-level visibility, retailers, carriers, and supply chain teams can finally measure, manage, and market their progress with confidence. With nShift Emissions Tracker, emissions data becomes a foundation for compliance, competitiveness, and continuous improvement.
Request a demo to see how nShift Emissions Tracker can help you track, reduce, and report delivery emissions with confidence.
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Author
Fredrik Lindhagen
Product manager
Fredrik has 15+ years of experience within the shipping industry. At nShift his responsibility is in developing our Transport Management Solution as well as evolving the Emissions Dashboard allowing customers to keep track of and reduce their CO2 emissions.
