Why this API to compute greenhouse gases emissions?

At Searoutes, we want CO2e emissions estimation to be accessible quickly to the different stakeholders of the logistics, so it's easy to integrate into decision making. From the GLEC's framework:

Comprising 23% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the transport sector is the third largest source of GHG emissions after industry and buildings. Freight transportation made up 36% of transport’s emissions in 2015, but is expected to be at least equivalent to passenger transport by 2050. [...] Without intervention, freight transport emissions will more than double by 2050.

Philosophy

Following GLEC's guidance, Searoutes' APIs estimate CO2-equivalent (CO2e), which is the common unit used to represent the global warming impact of the various Green House Gases. The estimations of our CO2e are indirect emissions from the reporting company’s supply chain. This includes transportation emissions required to move goods from suppliers to the reporting company and from the reporting company to the end customer. In other words, Searoutes' APIs encompass Scope 3 emissions, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Further, our estimations include the full fuel life cycle, comprised of well-to-tank (WTT), the emissions to extract, produce and deliver energy, and tank-to-wheel (TTW), the emissions caused to move the vehicle.

Searoutes' approach to Co2e calculations is to make use of the most granular data possible for estimations, and expose an easy to use API.

Main references

Our main references for the methodology below include:

• EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook 2019;
• GLEC Framework 2020.
• Third / Fourth IMO Greenhouse Gas Study 2020;