Best software for managing and calculating carbon footprints in logistics companies

Logistics is one of the sectors with the greatest climate impact and, at the same time, one of the most difficult to decarbonise.

Multimodal transport, owned and subcontracted fleets, warehouses, last-mile delivery, and international operations make calculating and managing the logistics carbon footprint a technical and organisational challenge.

Today, this calculation is no longer optional. European regulatory pressure, the requirements of major clients, and the need to optimise energy costs have turned carbon footprint software for logistics companies into a strategic tool.

In this article, we analyse the best software solutions for measuring, managing, and reducing carbon footprints in logistics, offering a clear comparison, objective criteria, and a practical perspective. Manglai leads the selection thanks to its operational focus, ease of use, and adaptability for companies that need actionable results.

What is the carbon footprint in logistics?

The logistics carbon footprint includes all greenhouse gas emissions associated with day-to-day operations, from transport to storage and final delivery. Specifically, it covers the following key areas:

Freight transport (Scope 1 and Scope 3)

‍Emissions from owned fleets are accounted for as Scope 1, while subcontracted transport—common among 3PL operators—is included in Scope 3. Measurement is based on data such as distance travelled, vehicle type, fuel used, and tonne-kilometres, distinguishing between road, maritime, air, and rail transport.

Owned fleets and subcontracted fleets‍

With owned fleets, access to data is usually more direct, whereas for subcontracted fleets, the quality of the calculation depends on the information provided by carriers and suppliers.

Logistics centres and warehouses‍

This includes emissions associated with the operation of logistics platforms, warehouses, and distribution centres. Lighting, heating and cooling, refrigeration, machinery, automation, and fuel consumption generate Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

Operational energy consumption‍

This covers all energy used in daily operations beyond transport: electricity, gas, fuels, IT systems, material-handling equipment, electric vehicle charging, and auxiliary processes. Measuring this consumption helps identify inefficiencies, prioritise energy-efficiency actions, and assess the real impact of electrification or renewable energy use.

Last-mile delivery and reverse logistics‍

Urban deliveries, low vehicle occupancy, fragmented routes, and returns management significantly increase the carbon footprint. In sectors such as e-commerce, reverse logistics can account for up to one fifth of total transport emissions, making its measurement and optimisation a strategic priority.

Why do logistics companies need specialised carbon footprint software?

Good carbon footprint software for logistics companies must make calculations scalable and reliable. Using spreadsheets or manual calculations does not scale, does not allow for simulations, generates recurring errors, and ultimately blocks effective decision-making.

A robust logistics carbon footprint software solution enables companies to:

• Compare routes and suppliers
• Identify emission hotspots
• Prioritise reduction actions
• Respond efficiently to audits and customer requests
• Prepare for CSRD and ESRS E1 requirements

What criteria should you use to choose carbon footprint software for logistics?

Choosing the right software will determine the efficiency, reliability, and credibility of your calculations.

Below are the five essential criteria you should consider before making a decision:

1. Methodological alignment: the software must comply with the GHG Protocol (Corporate and Scope 3), ISO 14064 / ISO 14067, and be ready for CSRD reporting.
2. Ability to model real transport operations: it should differentiate transport modes, calculate emissions per tonne-kilometre, and integrate both owned and subcontracted fleets.
3. Operational usability: if only an external consultant can use it, it is not a management tool.
4. Scalability: it must work equally well for pilot projects, national networks, and international operations.
5. Actionable reporting: the real value lies in turning data into decisions, not just generating PDFs.

Which software should logistics companies use to manage their carbon footprint?

Carbon footprint management has become a key factor for logistics companies, driven by regulatory pressure and market expectations. Choosing the right software allows companies to measure transport and operational emissions accurately and turn data into concrete reduction decisions.

Below, we review the main solutions on the market and explain why Manglai stands out as the most comprehensive option for managing carbon footprint calculations in an integrated way:

1. Manglai

Manglai is designed for logistics companies, transport operators, and 3PL providers that need to control and reduce their carbon emissions without adding technical complexity to their daily operations.

It is particularly well suited to organisations that want to integrate carbon footprint management into their standard processes without relying on specialised technical teams or continuous external consultancy.

Manglai goes beyond one-off emissions calculations. It enables continuous interpretation and management of emissions, helping teams understand which activities generate the greatest impact and where real reduction opportunities exist. This approach turns environmental data into a decision-making tool, rather than a mere reporting requirement.

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The platform offers a clear, guided workflow designed to adapt smoothly to the complexity of logistics operations.

Its practical focus on transport and operations makes it possible to work with real data and comparable scenarios, while the reporting is clear and actionable even for non-technical teams.

In addition, implementation is fast, allowing useful results to be obtained within a short timeframe.

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As with any specialised software, it is advisable to confirm coverage based on the specific logistics profile—for example, maritime transport, last-mile delivery, or international operations—to ensure the best possible fit with each organisation’s needs.

2. SAP Sustainability Control Tower

Best for: large operators already integrated with SAP

Strengths

• ERP integration
• Consolidation capabilities

Limitations

• Long implementation timelines
• High total cost

3. Sphera Product Sustainability (GaBi)

Best for: organisations with in-house LCA expertise

Strengths

• Strong methodological rigour
• Extensive databases

Limitations

• Low usability
• Not oriented towards operational decision-making

4. Watershed

Best for: multinationals with advanced ESG strategies

Strengths

• Automation
• Executive-level visualisation

Limitations

• Lower logistics specialisation

5. Plan A

Best for: European companies focused on regulatory compliance

Strengths

• CSRD alignment
• Decarbonisation support

Limitations

• Limited depth in transport modelling

6. Normative

Best for: companies primarily focused on reporting

Strengths

• Data governance
• Clear structure

Limitations

• Limited focus on logistics optimisation

7. Persefoni

Best for: large corporations

Strengths

• Scalability
• ESG data control

Limitations

• Complexity
• Steep adoption curve

How to start managing the logistics carbon footprint

Getting started with logistics carbon footprint management does not require transforming your entire operation from day one.

With a progressive approach and the right tools, it is possible to measure key emissions, identify critical hotspots, and move towards reduction in a structured and effective way.

1. Define the objective (reporting, reduction, customers): determine why you need the carbon footprint and what decisions it should support from the outset.
2. Select a pilot: start with a representative route, client, or logistics centre to validate the approach without unnecessary complexity.
3. Collect minimum data: gather essential operational information, prioritising availability and consistency over perfection.
4. Run a first iteration: obtain an initial result that serves as a baseline, even if it is not yet definitive.
5. Identify reduction levers: analyse which activities, routes, or suppliers concentrate the most emissions and offer the greatest improvement potential.
6. Scale progressively: expand the calculation to the rest of the operation once the initial model has been validated.

From regulatory compliance to low-carbon logistics

Regulatory compliance is no longer the end goal for logistics companies—it is the starting point. Active carbon footprint management makes it possible to identify inefficiencies, reduce operating costs, and respond to market expectations. With the right software, decarbonisation stops being a constraint and becomes a real competitiveness lever.

Manglai simplifies the calculation and management of the logistics carbon footprint through an operational approach that translates transport and operational data into clear reduction and reporting decisions. Request a Manglai demo and calculate your logistics carbon footprint in under 30 minutes.

FAQs about the best software for managing and calculating carbon footprints in logistics companies

Is it mandatory to calculate the logistics carbon footprint?‍

Yes. Directly or indirectly, most logistics companies will be affected by CSRD requirements and customer demands.

Can I start with incomplete data?‍

Yes. An iterative approach allows accuracy to improve over time.

Does this help win contracts?‍

Yes. An increasing number of tenders include measurable environmental criteria.