CoreProcess

Reduction and reporting of supply chain carbon emissions increases in importance every day. From a consumer sentiment and a social responsibility standpoint, this trend is set to continue for the forseeable future.

Already in the UK, the Carbon Label is a reality, reporting on the embedded carbon in retail products and presenting a socially responsible image to consumers. The Carbon Trust has taken the lead in developing measurement methodologies and standards in this field. Whether or not the Carbon Label is widely adopted, there is no doubt that corporations will be held increasingly accountable for their carbon footprint.

CoreProcess CIM (Carbon Impact Model) fully supports the Carbon Trust methodology for measurment of greenhouse gas emissions for inbound and outbound distribution. Using agreed greenhouse gas emission metrics, CIM can provide highly detailed analysis of the carbon cost-to-serve: by activity, by product, by delivery vehicle type and by delivery method. Unlike most current carbon analysis which is top-down (giving indicative values) CIM allows detailed bottom-up calculation of greenhouse gas emissions. These are accumulated on a regular basis, thereby allowing period-on-period scorecard reporting.

CIM not only allows the reporting of actual emissions, but also facilitates “what-if” analysis on alternative fuels, alternative vehicle efficiencies and alternative transport modes. Using PIM+CIM, companies can at once analyse the financial and carbon tradeoffs associated with business decisions.

Recently, New Zealand lamb sold in British supermarkets was shown to have a lower carbon footprint than British lamb, even taking into account the vast distances the meat had travelled to the shelf. The report from Lincoln University demonstrated that carbon footprint analysis is about more than just 'food miles' – there are many complex factors involved.

CIM provides the robust, repeatable analysis needed to track and report progress in supply chain carbon footprint reduction.