Freight forwarders: Why you need carbon reporting & how to get started

Customers are asking for it. Regulators are requiring it. Competitors are offering it.

Carbon reporting is quickly becoming a standard part of doing business for freight forwarders. Whether you're committed to sustainability or simply need to meet customer and regulatory requirements, providing accurate emissions data can help you stay competitive and build stronger relationships.

We’ve created the Carbon Reporting for Freight Forwarders: A Beginner’s Playbook—a step-by-step guide to help you get started quickly and easily.

Why carbon reporting matters for freight forwarders

1. Customers expect it – More shippers need Scope 3 emissions data. If you can’t provide it, they’ll find a forwarder who can.

2. Regulations are here – The EU’s CSRD and the UK’s SECR require large businesses to report supply chain emissions. This pressure is moving down to logistics partners.

3. It helps you win business – Offering emissions reporting gives you an edge over competitors who don’t. It’s that simple.

4. It can drive revenue – You can package carbon reporting as a value-added service or use it to attract bigger, sustainability-focused clients.

How to get started with carbon reporting

1. Define your goal – Are you doing this to meet customer demand, comply with regulations, or stand out from competitors?

2. Pick the right tool – Choose a carbon tracking solution that integrates with your systems and follows industry standards (GLEC, GHG Protocol).

3. Train your team – Your sales and customer service teams need to understand emissions data and explain it to clients.

4. Promote your offering – Let customers know you provide emissions tracking—update your website, send emails, and mention it in sales calls.

Start now—here’s the playbook

The sooner you integrate carbon reporting, the better positioned you’ll be to keep customers, comply with regulations, and stay competitive.