Freight Carbon
Footprint Estimator
Estimate the CO₂ emissions of your freight shipment — by route, weight, truck type, load utilization, and deadhead. A planning estimate, not a verified GHG inventory.
FTL: you dispatch the whole truck, so you bear its full carbon. Below 100% utilization the same fuel is spread over less freight.
How full the truck is by weight or space. Applies to full-truckload scenarios; LTL is allocated by weight share instead.
Extra distance the truck runs empty to position for or after your load. Optional — leave blank if not applicable.
Why Freight Emissions Matter
ESG Reporting
Freight estimates can support Scope 3 screening and data collection. Reporting requirements vary; validate the methodology, factor boundaries and allocation before using results in an inventory.
Load Optimization
Partial loads and inefficient routing are the biggest drivers of unnecessary freight emissions. Working with a broker to consolidate or route efficiently reduces both cost and CO₂.
Carbon Offsetting
The tool's offset cost is illustrative, not a market quote or a carbon tax. Prices and credit quality vary. Report gross transport emissions separately from any voluntary offsets.
Related Guide
Carbon Emissions in Freight: What Canadian Shippers Need to Know
5 min readAbout this tool
What it calculates
Provides an approximate freight-emissions planning estimate from shipment mode, distance, weight and configured mode-level factors, with illustrative offset cost context.
Who it's for
Shippers and logistics teams comparing freight-emissions planning scenarios before obtaining reporting-grade shipment data.
What you'll need
Freight mode (LTL, FTL, reefer, intermodal), distance or origin/destination, and shipment weight.
How to use the result
Use as a planning estimate for budgeting and comparative analysis. Not a verified GHG inventory. For formal reporting, use a certified third-party methodology.
Key assumptions
Configured factors are approximate planning benchmarks, not certified SmartWay or NTM shipment factors. Actual emissions depend on allocation, load factor, equipment, fuel and routing; this tool does not verify those inputs or certify reporting compliance.
When to confirm with a specialist
For Scope 3 regulatory reporting or supplier disclosures, consult a certified GHG auditor. OTR Logistics Solutions can recommend modal or routing changes that reduce freight emissions.
Need help with this shipment?
OTR Logistics Solutions specialists available 24/7 — no account required.
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