CO2 Emissions by Mode of Transportation: How Can Businesses Reduce Their Impact?

Which modes of transportation generate the most emissions in a business setting?

🚘 Business Travel: An Underestimated Challenge

Business travel accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from companies in France—a figure that is often underestimated. Among the main types of travel are:

• 🚙 Company cars: This mode of transportation is by far the most common in French organizations, particularly for short- and medium-distance trips. Cars emit approximately 2.28 kg of CO2 per liter of fuel consumed. For example, a round trip by car between Paris and Marseille can generate nearly 150 kg of CO2—equivalent to the annual energy-related emissions of a small apartment. To reduce this carbon footprint, some companies are beginning to introduce fleets of electric vehicles, but their adoption remains limited.

• ✈️ Air travel: This mode of transportation is extremely polluting, especially for short trips, where takeoff and landing are the most energy-intensive phases. For example, a round-trip flight between Paris and Marseille (776 km) emits approximately 171 kg CO2e per person—20 times more than the same journey by TGV. Yet air travel is often preferred for reasons of speed. One solution is to promote the use of rail for domestic or European travel, such as between Paris and Brussels, where the travel time by TGV is similar to that by plane when waiting times are factored in—not to mention the ability to work peacefully on a train, whereas this is hardly possible on a plane.

• 🚆 The train: It is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation. In France, a trip on the TGV generates only 1.73 g of CO2 per kilometer per passenger, thanks to the use of electricity that is largely carbon-free. Despite this low carbon footprint, companies still make little use of it for business travel, due to ingrained habits or a lack of proper planning.

In 2021,carbon emissions from the transportation sectorin France accounted for 30% of the national total, or 126 MtCO2eq. Rail travel accounts for less than 1% of CO2 emissions, despite representing 10% of freight and passenger transportation in France.

According to the SNCF, which compares its services to other modes of transportation, the TGV and Intercités remain the least polluting options and also offer the advantage of being public transportation, making them ideal for business travel (easy to book and organize, and a time-saver compared to flying or carpooling).

⛴️ Logistics and Freight: A Major Source of Emissions

For organizations operating in commerce or industry, logistics and freight transportation are a major source of GHG emissions. The main types involved are:

Trucks and utility vehicles:

• In Europe, according to statistics, approximately 75% of goods are transported by road, making it a major source of GHG emissions.

Maritime transport:

• Maritime transport is one of the modes of transport with the lowest emissions per metric ton-kilometer (t.km), with an average of about 3 grams of CO2 per t.km for a container ship. However, the massive volume of cargo transported and the long distances traveled mean that maritime transport contributes significantly to GHG emissions.
• On a voyage between Asia and Europe, a container ship’s emissions are very high because of the millions of metric tons it carries, even though each ship, taken individually, remains highly efficient.

Air Freight:

• Air transport is the mode of transportation that emits the most CO₂ per metric ton-kilometer. According to statistics, a cargo plane emits approximately 10 to 40 grams of CO₂ per kilometer. Air freight is primarily used for high-value goods or deliveries that require rapid transit times. However, the exorbitant cost is prompting organizations to explore more sustainable alternatives, such as a combination of sea or rail freight and low-emission local solutions for the last mile.

🌆 Local Transportation and the Last Mile: A Challenge for Cities

Last-mile delivery, particularly in urban areas, has become a major challenge with the rise of e-commerce. Trucks and vans traveling through densely populated areas contribute significantly to local pollution and the carbon footprint of organizations.

• Environmental Impact: Emissions from a light-duty diesel commercial vehicle vary depending on the model, load, and driving conditions. On average, they range from 180 to 200 g of CO₂ per km under typical urban delivery conditions. These figures may increase due to traffic congestion or frequent stop-and-go driving.
• Emerging Alternatives: Some companies are adopting more sustainable solutions, such as cargo bikes or electric vehicles for urban deliveries. For example, a cargo bike equipped for logistics emits no greenhouse gases during use and helps reduce air pollution in city centers. In Paris, initiatives such as local logistics hubs are promoting these low-carbon delivery methods

The modes of transportation used by organizations—whether for business travel, international logistics, or local delivery—are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, every choice—from taking the train for business travel to adopting electric vehicles for the last mile—can significantly reduce this carbon footprint. It is therefore essential to rethink these practices to balance efficiency with climate responsibility.

Factors Affecting Emissions from Business Activities

🚗 Distance traveled and frequency of trips: an emissions multiplier

• Frequent business travel: For example, an employee who flies round-trip between Paris and New York once a month (approximately 11,000 km) generates more than 887 kg of CO2eeach year. For a large organization, this practice can amount to tens or even hundreds of metric tons of CO2. Solution: Encourage virtual meetings or consolidate trips to reduce their frequency.
• Remote Logistics: Organizations with international supply chains are seeing their emissions skyrocket. For example, importing products from China to Marseille by sea involves a journey of thousands of kilometers. When this distance is combined with road transport for local distribution, the carbon footprint increases even further. Solution: Seek out local or regional suppliers to reduce the distances traveled.

🚊 Chosen modes of transportation: a widely varying impact

• Air Freight vs. Ocean Freight: For example, shipping one metric ton of goods by air over 1,000 km emits approximately 1,054 kg of CO₂, while the same shipment by ocean generates only 20 kg of CO₂. This type of decision can be crucial for logistics companies operating between European hubs such as Paris and Berlin. Solution: Integrate rail or ocean freight into supply chains when time frames allow.
• Use of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles: A fleet consisting solely of diesel or gasoline vehicles can generate up to 50% more emissions than a hybrid or electric fleet. For example, for a company that manages a fleet of 100 cars traveling approximately 20,000 km per year, switching to electric vehicles could reduce its annual emissions by several dozen metric tons. Solution: Implement a program for a gradual transition to vehicles with low GHG emissions.

📦 Logistics Optimization and Internal Organization: An Underutilized Lever

Supply chains and the organization of internal travel play a key role in the emissions generated by organizations.

• Inefficient supply chains: Poorly optimized logistics—such as empty runs or poorly planned routes—lead to unnecessary emissions.

Solution: Invest in high-performance logistics management tools to optimize routes and minimize unnecessary trips.

• Energy mix: The environmental impact of transportation also depends on the energy source used. In France, a train powered by nuclear or renewable energy emits very little CO2, whereas a diesel train or a truck in a country where most energy comes from coal will be much more polluting. Solution: Partner with logistics providers that use electric fleets or a cleaner energy mix.
• Corporate Culture and Travel Habits: The routine use of air travel for internal meetings or short trips sometimes reflects a lack of strategic thinking. For example, a flight between Paris and Lyon emits 20 times more CO2 than a trip on the TGV, yet it is often chosen because of its perceived speed. Solution: Raise employee awareness of the impact of their choices and encourage more sustainable alternatives.

In summary, there are many factors that influence GHG emissions related to companies’ transportation activities: distance traveled, modes of transportation used, logistical efficiency, and organizational culture. By making strategic decisions—such as reducing unnecessary travel, prioritizing lower-emission modes of transportation, and optimizing supply chains—organizations can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while enhancing their operational efficiency.

How can companies reduce their transportation-related CO2 emissions?

🚌 Optimizing Business Travel

• Encouraging remote work and online meetings: Many companies have adopted these practices, particularly since the health crisis. For example, a car trip between Brussels and Paris generates about 80 kg of CO2 over a distance of 300 km.

• Prioritize rail travel for domestic and European trips: For trips such as Paris to London, taking the Eurostar emits about 6 kg of CO2 per passenger, compared to 140 kg by plane. Organizations can establish a travel policy that prioritizes rail travel for trips lasting less than 4 hours. Real-world example: A good example of a company that has reduced its domestic flights in favor of more eco-friendly modes of transportation is Microsoft. In 2020, the company announced a significant reduction in business travel, partly due to the pandemic, but primarily as part of its commitment to become “carbon negative” by 2030. Microsoft encourages its employees to prioritize virtual meetings or rail travel for short distances. This is part of their overall strategy to limit emissions associated with their operations.
• Encourage carpooling and public transit passes: Setting up internal carpooling platforms or reimbursing employees for public transit passes can significantly reduce emissions. For example, a daily carpool trip between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence can cut CO2 emissions per passenger in half.

🚙 Reducing the Environmental Impact of Corporate Fleets

Vehicle fleets account for a significant portion of GHG emissions for many companies. Concrete actions can reduce their environmental footprint.

• • Transition to electric or hybrid vehicles: Replacing a fleet of internal-combustion vehicles with electric vehicles reduces direct emissions to zero during operation. Example: La Poste in France has added nearly 13,000 electric vehicles to its fleet for local deliveries, thereby drastically reducing its emissions.
  • Eco-driving Training: Adapting driving habits can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent. For example, eco-driving training for a company’s truck drivers could save 5 megagrams of CO2 per year for a fleet of 50 vehicles.
  • Use emissions tracking tools: Management platforms allow you to monitor GHG emissions in real time and plan reduction strategies. For example, calculating the emissions of a fleet of vehicles traveling between Lyon and Nice can help identify shorter or less polluting routes.