Greenhouse Gases: The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, linked to human activities, are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and the fluorinated gases (HFC, PFC, SF₆ und NF₃).

Human activity emits different kind of GHG. Their Global Warming Potential (GWP), a physical characteristic of a GHG, represents their impact on the greenhouse effect, and allows to convert 1 kg of GHG into X kg of CO₂ equivalent, noted CO₂e. It allows emissions of different gases to be compared. Thus, CO₂e is the same as GHG in that it covers all greenhouse emissions as opposed to CO₂ which only refers to carbon dioxide.

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from company-owned and controlled resources. ​

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased energy. ​

Scope 3 emissions are all indirect GHG emissions – not included in scope 2 – that occur in the value chain.

Coefficient which allows to convert activity data (vehicle fuel consumption, kWh of a given energy, etc.) into Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is the average emission rate of a given source, relative to units of activity or process/processes.

Transportation connection between two points. Leg types can be linehaul, air, sea, rail, pick up or delivery.

Unit of measurement corresponding to the transport of one ton over one kilometer​ (e.g. Transporting 3 tons of goods over a distance of 150 kilometers corresponds to a transport activity of 3 x 150 = 450 t.km​).

Unit of measurement corresponding to the transport of one parcel over one kilometer​ (e.g. Transporting 1000 parcels over a distance of 150 kilometers corresponds to a transport activity of 1000 x 150 = 150 000 parcel.km​).

GHG emissions are calculated over the entire value chain:​

Well-to-tank (WTT): Fuel production ​and distribution​.​
Tank-to-Wheel (TTW): Fuel combustion.

International non-profit organization focused on reducing greenhouse gas emission from freight transportation.​

The global methodology for harmonised calculation and reporting of the logistics GHG footprint across the multi-modal supply chain. It can be implemented by shippers, carriers and logistics service providers. It is aligned to the GHG Protocol.​

ISO 14083 establishes a common methodology for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising from the operation of transport chains of passengers and freight.​

Methodology for calculation and declaration of GHG emissions and Air pollutants of parcel logistics delivery services, it provides the principles and rules for the quantification, allocation and reporting of environmental impacts from parcel logistics delivery services. Also called Parcel Delivery Environmental Footprint (PDEF).​

GHG Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardised frameworks to measure and manage GHG emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions.