Shipping Emissions Calculator

Calculate carbon emissions for different shipping methods and distances.

Shipping Method:
Shipping Distance (km):
Weight of Shipment (kg):
Package Volume (m³):
Shipping Speed:

Shipping Emissions Results

Based on your inputs for Air Freight shipping:

Total CO2 Emissions: 83.00 kg CO2e
Emissions per kg Shipped: 0.83 kg CO2e/kg
Comparable Car Travel: 414.9 km driven
CO2 Absorption Time: 3.8 years for one tree
Alternative Methods Comparison: Using ocean freight would reduce emissions by 98%
Typical Home Energy Equivalent: 10.4 days of average household electricity

Formulas used in the Shipping Emissions Calculator:

  1. Basic Shipping Emissions Formula: Emissions (g CO2e) = (Weight in tonnes) × Distance (km) × Emission Factor (g CO2e/tonne-km) Where:
    • Weight is converted from kg to tonnes by dividing by 1,000
    • Emission factors vary by transport mode (ocean: 15, air: 830, truck: 120, rail: 35 g CO2e/tonne-km)
  2. Volumetric Weight Adjustment: If (Actual Density < Density Threshold) Then: Volumetric Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density Threshold (kg/m³) Shipping Weight = MAX(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight) Where:
    • Density thresholds vary by shipping method (ocean: 250, air: 167, truck: 200, rail: 220 kg/m³)
  3. Speed Adjustment: Adjusted Emission Factor = Base Emission Factor × Speed Factor Where:
    • Speed factors are: Economy (0.9), Standard (1.0), Express (1.35)
  4. Car Travel Equivalent: Car Distance Equivalent (km) = Emissions (g CO2e) ÷ 200 Where:
    • 200 g CO2e/km is the assumed car emissions rate
  5. Tree Absorption Time: Tree Years = Emissions (kg CO2e) ÷ 22 Where:
    • 22 kg CO2e is the assumed annual carbon absorption of one tree
  6. Home Energy Equivalent: Home Energy Days = Emissions (kg CO2e) ÷ (8 × 0.5) Where:
    • 8 kWh is assumed daily household electricity usage
    • 0.5 kg CO2e/kWh is the assumed emissions factor for electricity
  7. Alternative Method Comparison: Reduction Percentage = ((Current Method Emissions - Alternative Method Emissions) ÷ Current Method Emissions) × 100

These formulas work together to provide a comprehensive assessment of shipping emissions and contextual comparisons to help users understand the environmental impact of different shipping choices.