GLEC Framework: what it is, how to implement it and its link to ISO 14083

The GLEC Framework (Global Logistics Emissions Council) is the reference methodology for calculating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the logistics chain: freight transport by road, sea, air and rail, plus logistics hubs. It is not a law but a voluntary standard, developed by the Global Logistics Emissions Council and managed by Smart Freight Centre, that makes it possible to measure the logistics carbon footprint consistently and comparably across companies.

Reducing emissions starts with measuring them well. In a sector as emissions-intensive as logistics, having a common method is key to making decisions, responding to clients and investors and preparing for regulation. Below we look at what the GLEC Framework is, how it relates to ISO 14083, how to implement it step by step and what advantages and limitations it has.

What is the GLEC Framework?

The GLEC Framework is a GHG emissions calculation methodology designed specifically for transport and logistics. The Global Logistics Emissions Council was created in 2014 and published the first version of the framework as the first globally recognised method for accounting for logistics emissions. It calculates emissions following the well-to-wheel principle, meaning it includes both the combustion of the vehicle and the production and supply emissions of the fuel or energy.

For most shippers, the emissions of contracted transport form part of Scope 3 (indirect value-chain emissions), while for a carrier with its own fleet they correspond to its Scope 1 and Scope 2. The GLEC Framework makes it possible to allocate those emissions consistently along the chain.

GLEC Framework and ISO 14083: the current version

The most important milestone of recent years is the convergence of the GLEC Framework with an international standard. In 2023 the ISO 14083:2023 standard was published, setting common rules for quantifying the GHG emissions of transport operations and built on the principles of the GLEC Framework itself.

In September 2023, Smart Freight Centre published version 3.0 of the GLEC Framework, fully aligned with ISO 14083 and conceived as its practical translation for companies. Updates have since followed (version 3.2, in October 2025, adds an air pollutants module). In practice, applying the GLEC Framework today is equivalent to calculating emissions in a way that conforms with ISO 14083.

Connection with EU regulation

This alignment gains relevance with the EU's CountEmissions EU regulation, on which a provisional agreement was reached in November 2025. The regulation sets EN ISO 14083:2023 as the reference methodology for calculating the emissions of freight and passenger transport services in the EU. Disclosure will remain voluntary, but anyone who chooses or is required to calculate and communicate those emissions will have to use this methodology. Working with the GLEC Framework already puts a company ahead of this framework.

How to implement the GLEC Framework step by step

Putting the GLEC Framework in place in a logistics company requires an orderly process:

1. Define scope and objectives

Set out which activities are assessed (transport, storage, handling, logistics hubs) and establish clear, realistic and measurable objectives, aligned with the company's strategy and communicated to the teams involved.

2. Gather the data

This is the most demanding step. You need reliable activity data: distances, transport modes, vehicle type, load, fuel and energy consumption. The GLEC Framework is compatible with the GHG Protocol, the international GHG accounting standard. At Manglai we automate this collection by integrating ERPs, fleet management systems and fuel invoices.

3. Calculate the emissions

With the activity data and the appropriate emission factors, emissions are calculated by mode and by leg, expressed in CO₂ equivalent. Where primary data is missing, the GLEC Framework provides default values so the calculation is not blocked.

4. Identify and apply reduction measures

Once the hotspots are located, actions are prioritised: optimising routes and loads, renewing the fleet with more efficient or zero-emission vehicles, alternative fuels, energy efficiency in warehouses and training in efficient driving.

5. Monitor and improve continually

The calculation is not a one-off exercise. It is worth defining KPIs, such as emissions intensity per tonne-kilometre, reviewing results periodically and adjusting the strategy.

Advantages of the GLEC Framework

• Comparability: being aligned with ISO 14083, it offers consistent results that are comparable across companies and over time.
• An accurate view of emissions: it makes it possible to identify the most polluting modes and legs and prioritise reduction.
• Efficiency and costs: optimising routes, loads and consumption reduces emissions and operating costs at the same time.
• Responding to clients and investors: more and more clients require emissions data from their logistics suppliers.
• Regulatory readiness: it makes it easier to get ahead of frameworks such as CountEmissions EU and of sustainability reporting requirements.

Limitations to bear in mind

• Data dependency: the quality of the calculation depends on the availability of primary data from the chain; with default values, accuracy is lower.
• Chain complexity: allocating emissions among multiple actors and modes (multimodal transport, subcontracting) requires traceability and systematisation.
• Resources: implementing it rigorously takes time, tools and coordination across areas, especially for Scope 3.

The GLEC Framework in the logistics sector

The GLEC Framework has established itself as the reference for measuring emissions in logistics and is the basis on which large operators and shippers build their inventories and decarbonisation targets. Operators such as DHL Group and FedEx have made public long-term reduction targets (FedEx aims for carbon neutrality in 2040), supported by fleet electrification, alternative fuels and route optimisation. To go deeper into the practical application, see our guide on how to implement the GLEC Framework in logistics and optimise fleets and the comparison of software for calculating emissions under the GLEC Framework.

Frequently asked questions

Is the GLEC Framework mandatory?

No. It is a voluntary methodology. That said, it is aligned with ISO 14083:2023, which the EU's CountEmissions EU regulation sets as the reference method when a company chooses or is required to communicate the emissions of its transport services.

What is the difference between the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083?

ISO 14083 is the international standard that sets the calculation rules; it was built on the principles of the GLEC Framework. The GLEC Framework, in its version 3.0 and later, is the practical guide that translates that standard into requirements companies can apply.

Which emissions does it cover?

It covers the GHG emissions of freight transport (road, sea, air and rail) and of logistics hubs, following the well-to-wheel principle, which includes both the use of the vehicle and the production and supply of the energy.

If your company moves goods and needs to calculate its emissions in line with the GLEC Framework and ISO 14083, at Manglai we automate it with our GLEC Framework calculation solution and our service carbon footprint product for logistics.