REF (Route Emission Factor ) - TX

Route Emission Factor (REF) refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting goods between a specific origin and destination route, expressed in kilograms of CO2 equivalent (kgCO2eq) per kg. This factor accounts for all legs of the journey and includes emissions from each type of vehicle used in the transport process. The REF is calculated once and updated annually to reflect changes in emission factors or transport efficiency.

Declared Unit: kgCO2eq per kg

Usage: The REF is essential for calculating the emissions for each transport event, allowing for precise measurement of the carbon footprint for transporting goods between two locations. This facilitates the integration of emission data into overall supply chain sustainability metrics.

Calculation of Route Emission Factor (REF)

1. Identify Origin and Destination: Use GLN (Global Location Number) or W3W (What3Words) to get the geocoordinates or addresses for both the origin and destination locations.
2. Determine the Legs of the Route: Identify each segment of the journey from the origin to the destination.
   1. Example: From Distribution Center (DC) to Port by truck, Port to Destination by ship, Destination Port to Production Site by truck.
3. Gather Vehicle and Distance Data: For each leg, determine the type of vehicle used (e.g., truck, ship, train, plane).
4. Measure the distance for each leg in kilometers (km).
5. Calculate Emissions per Leg: Use Well-to-Wheel (WtW) Carbon Footprint data, which provides emission factors per vehicle type in kgCO2eq per tonne-kilometer (tkm). Formula: Emissions per Leg = Distance (𝑘𝑚) × Emission Factor (𝑘𝑔𝐶𝑂2𝑒𝑞/𝑡km) = Emissions per Leg=Distance(km)×Emission Factor(kgCO2eq/tkm)
6. Sum Emissions for All Legs: Total the emissions from all legs to determine the REF for the entire route. Formula: REF = ∑ (Emissions per Leg)

Example Calculation

For a shipment from a seller’s DC to a buyer’s production location:

• Origin: Seller’s DC (e.g., identified by GLN or W3W).
• Destination: Buyer’s production location (e.g., identified by GLN or W3W).
• Leg 1: DC to Port by Truck
  • Distance: 100 km
  • Emission Factor: 0.1 kgCO2eq per tkm
  • Emissions: 100 × 0.1 = 10 kgCO2eq per kg
• Leg 2: Port to Destination by Ship
  • Distance: 500 km
  • Emission Factor: 0.02 kgCO2eq per tkm
  • Emissions: 500 × 0.02 = 10 kgCO2eq per kg
• Leg 3: Destination Port to Production Site by Truck
  • Distance: 50 km
  • Emission Factor: 0.1 kgCO2eq per tkm
  • Emissions: 50 × 0.1 = 5 kgCO2eq per kg
• Total REF:
  • 10 + 10 + 5 = 25 kgCO2eq per kg (for transporting 1 kg from origin to destination, so this only has to be calculated once per route)

Application of REF

Once the REF is calculated, it can be used to determine the transport event emissions for any item shipped between the specified origin and destination. The REF value is provided per kilogram of goods transported, which can be applied consistently across different shipments.

Transport Event Emissions (per kg): The declared unit for REF is per kilogram, facilitating accurate emission calculations for each item.

Advise: Annual Updates

To maintain accuracy, the REF should be reviewed and updated annually to account for changes in emission factors, vehicle efficiencies, and route optimizations. This ensures that the data remains relevant and reliable for sustainability reporting and decision-making.

Conclusion

The Route Emission Factor (REF) is a critical metric for assessing and managing the carbon emissions associated with transportation in the supply chain. By calculating and applying the REF, businesses can better understand and mitigate their environmental impact, contributing to overall sustainability goals. This master data allows for consistent and accurate tracking of transport emissions, supporting strategic decision-making and sustainability initiatives.