Freight CO₂ emissions calculator
Estimate the carbon footprint of a shipment from its weight and distance, and compare modes side by side. Sea and rail emit a small fraction of what air does per tonne-kilometre.
estimated CO₂e by sea freight
Indicative planning figures (g CO₂e per tonne-km): sea 8, rail 22, road 62, air 500. Mode choice is the single biggest lever on shipment emissions.
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How is freight CO₂ estimated?
By multiplying cargo weight (in tonnes) by distance (km) by an emission factor for the mode, expressed as grams of CO₂e per tonne-kilometre. These are planning-grade figures, not a certified audit.
Which mode has the lowest emissions?
Sea freight is by far the lowest per tonne-km, followed by rail, then road, with air an order of magnitude higher. Choosing sea or rail over air is the biggest single lever on shipment carbon.