Reducing CO₂ emissions as an integral part of the corporate strategy

Challenge: Establishing reliable emissions data for corporate strategy and compliance

RINNEN supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and has anchored sustainable action and management as an integral part of its corporate strategy. However, the basis for an effective climate protection strategy is the calculation of the company's own CO₂ emissions (Scope 1) and a precise understanding of the various sources of emissions. It was therefore RINNEN's aim to obtain reliable and valid data on its own CO₂ footprint with the help of an external partner.

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Due to increasing CSRD reporting obligations on the part of cargo owners, RINNEN noticed an increasing demand for transport emissions data. The generation of emissions reports was a complex process that was difficult to manage internally. It was also challenging to map the emissions of individual transport legs for intermodal transports.

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Furthermore, proof of verifiable CO₂ measurement and evaluation was increasingly being used as a criterion for tenders. As one of the leading chemical logistics companies and a member of the ECTA Responsible Care Program, RINNEN is obliged to submit to the SQAS audit (Safety and Quality Assessment for Sustainability). The challenge was to consider upstream and downstream emission values in addition to the directly emitted CO₂ emissions.

Solution: Comprehensive data integration and GLEC-accredited emissions calculation

First, an interface was created for secure data transfer. This makes it possible to integrate the order data from the transport management system (TMS) into the shipzero data platform. The primary data from the Spedion fleet telematics system was also transferred and merged with the order data from the TMS. This allows transports to be assigned to the corresponding customers and orders.

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The data is reviewed for errors and plausibility with each monthly transmission (data clarification process), which enables high data quality before the emissions calculation. Input errors such as excessive weights can thus be detected and adjusted.

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RINNEN uses the fuel consumption data from its own fleet to calculate Scope 1 emissions, which is the most accurate method of calculating transport emissions. Scope 3 emissions are measured using order data from external service providers in road and rail transport. In general, CO₂ emissions in RINNEN's intermodal supply chains are calculated according to the highest standards of the GLEC framework.

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Through using shipzero, RINNEN is able to automatically create a multimodal tracking of greenhouse gas emissions. The filter dimensions for reporting are diverse and have been expanded at RINNEN's request.

“We are able to classify the total CO₂ value into different categories, i.e., well-to-tank and tank-to-wheel. This allows us to say: The direct emission value of a transport is the value X. However, in order to fully evaluate the emissions, the upstream or downstream activities must also be included in the calculation.”

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Results: Automated reporting and new business through scenario analysis

RINNEN is able to automatically create multimodal emissions reports with diverse filter dimensions. The chemical logistics company can filter and analyze its emissions data according to individual requirements. The data can be processed and viewed in the data platform or downloaded as an Excel file. This enables simple and automated export of emissions reports for customer inquiries, tenders or audits and assessments.

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RINNEN also uses shipzero's expertise for tenders and to acquire new business. In a first joint project, a scenario analysis for selected transports was conducted. In line with GLEC, this involved determining the emissions that would be generated by potential transports. The forecast was very well received by clients, enabling RINNEN to indicate CO₂ emissions alongside pricing and supporting their goals of conducting transports as climate-efficiently as possible.

“As part of a tender, we were able to provide emission values for the potential transports. shipzero has calculated the emissions data that we anticipate for certain lanes. This was previously not possible for us and enabled us to indicate the CO₂ emissions as well as the price. This was very well received by the potential customer and supports our goals of conducting transports as climate-efficiently as possible. shipzero was able to support us competently and at short notice. This was a first success story that we were able to realize right at the beginning of our cooperation.”

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Outlook: Expanding to logistics sites and holistic emissions management

The first major step has been taken: RINNEN has established transparency regarding the transport emissions of its European and multimodal logistics network. The calculation of the CO₂ emissions emitted by its own fleet is even based on primary consumption data. The granular database makes it possible to identify potential CO₂ savings in the supply chain and derive measures to reduce them. The foundation for future decarbonization projects has thus been laid: Effective reduction potentials can be determined based on data.

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RINNEN is also planning to connect its logistics sites to the shipzero data platform for holistic emissions management. In addition to transport emissions, this will also include emissions from warehouses and transshipment sites, a requirement of ISO 14083 published in March 2023. Tank cleaning processes will also be measured and quantified as part of this process.