15 February 2010 | Carly Chynoweth

Global transport and logistics suppliers will be able to report their environmental impact more consistently using guidelines developed by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The guidelines were endorsed by the governors of the WEF’s Logistics & Transport Industry Group at its recent annual meeting in Davos. They will help the logistics industry inform consumers and businesses about the carbon impact of product transportation.

The advice covers operational processes specific to the logistics and transport industry but does not provide guidance on general carbon measurement and reporting principles. Logistics firms can self-certify or audit compliance with the guidelines, which are optional.

Research by Accenture, which helped compile the guidelines, suggests that transport and logistics operations usually make up between 5 per cent and 15 per cent of a product’s carbon footprint.

Gary Hanifan, head of the supply chain management practice at Accenture UK and Ireland, told SM: “This will be information that flows to procurement professionals. At first it will be a bit more resource intensive for suppliers but what we are looking to do right now is to put into place the backbone that will lead to automation and make it more resource-light.”

He added consumer demand was driving the need for more reporting of emissions.

The WEF guidelines can be accessed here.