Scope 3 Emissions: Freight’s Hidden Carbon Cost – and How CocoonCarbon® Helps

By James Blackman

Carbon emissions are no longer a distant sustainability metric buried in annual reports—they’re a front-line concern for every supply chain stakeholder. But understanding where emissions come from, especially in freight, isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

You might have heard of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. But what do they really mean in practice—especially for logistics-heavy businesses? And more importantly, how can we measure and manage them?

Let’s break it down—simply, clearly, and with a freight-forwarding lens.

What Are Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions?

Defined by the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, emissions are categorised into three scopes:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources – e.g. your own trucks, company cars, or warehouse boilers.
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity or heating/cooling – such as powering your depot or reefer units.
• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in your value chain – including the carbon impact of subcontracted transport, warehousing, packaging, and business travel.

Scope 3 is by far the most wide-reaching—and often the most carbon-intensive.

Why Scope 3 Is the Biggest Challenge for Freight

In the freight industry, most emissions aren’t generated by your own assets. They come from your partners—the hauliers, airlines, ocean carriers, and couriers you subcontract.

That’s why Scope 3 is the freight forwarder’s blind spot.

It includes:

• Emissions from third-party transport providers
• Downstream delivery to final customers
• Packaging, employee commuting, waste disposal, and business travel

For many logistics companies, Scope 3 makes up 80–90% of their total emissions footprint. Yet, it’s the hardest to track—because it sits outside your direct control.

Why You Need to Track Scope 3 Now

With regulations tightening under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the UK’s SECR framework, businesses are increasingly required to report Scope 3 emissions alongside Scope 1 and 2.

This isn’t just about compliance. Your customers are asking for carbon data. Your investors expect climate risk transparency. Your competitors are building carbon calculators into their offerings.

If you don’t start tracking, you’re already falling behind.

How CocoonCarbon® Makes Scope 3 Tracking Simple

CocoonCarbon® is built specifically for freight businesses. Whether you’re a forwarder, 3PL, or transport operator, it helps you measure emissions across every shipment—automatically.

✅ Integrates with your TMS, ERP, or even a CSV
✅ Calculates emissions for sea, air, road, and rail
✅ Aligned with the GHG Protocol and ISO 14083
✅ Breaks down emissions by shipment, customer, or lane
✅ Includes both well-to-wheel and tank-to-wheel calculations

Whether it’s an LCL shipment from China or a pallet run across Europe, CocoonCarbon® ensures you can accurately quantify—and report—your carbon output.

What Sets CocoonCarbon® Apart?

CocoonCarbon® isn’t a generic carbon calculator. It’s designed for the complexity of freight.

• Understand your Scope 3 transport emissions in granular detail
• Use carrier-specific emissions factors where available
• Track use of sustainable fuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
• White-label dashboards to share accurate carbon reports with clients

Unlike broader tools, CocoonCarbon® knows how freight works—and helps you reduce emissions without disrupting operations.

Scope 3 Is Your Freight Carbon Opportunity

Scope 3 is no longer optional. It’s where your risk—and your opportunity—lives.

Track it properly, and you’ll unlock better carrier selection, greener routing decisions, and more accurate reporting to stakeholders.

With CocoonCarbon®, you can finally bring clarity to Scope 3.

✅ Ready to Get Started?

👉 Visit cocooncarbon.co.uk
📞 Book a demo with our team
📈 Take control of your Scope 3 emissions—and make carbon part of your competitive edge

James Blackman
Co-Founder, CocoonFMS® Ltd
Helping logistics companies turn carbon confusion into carbon clarity