Businesses can now easily work out the carbon impact of their shipments using a new free online calculator, launched by logistics software development company CocoonFMS Ltd.
The CocoonCarbon tool enables businesses to measure their Carbon Footprint and estimate the carbon, nitrogen oxide and particle matter emissions of an entire journey from door to door, through road, sea and air travel.
Enhanced subscription-based versions of the software also calculate the exact number of trees needed to offset the carbon impact of that journey – and provide the option to purchase those trees there and then.
Several legs of a journey can be added, including different modes of transport used.
CocoonCarbon is ideal for anyone who wants to better understand the impact of their business journeys and shipments so they can make strategic decisions about how to achieve net-zero.
The web-based version is free to use and is aimed at smaller companies for infrequent shipments or journeys. Businesses can also add the calculator to their own websites for customers to use.
The enhanced subscription-based versions of the software are aimed at larger companies, including distribution or freight businesses, dealing with tens of thousands of shipments every day.
This includes a standalone cloud-based portal, great for businesses that import and export, where emissions can be broken down per journey leg to see where the carbon impact is highest.
Large-scale freight companies dealing with tens of thousands of shipments can take it a step further with the API version which integrates directly into their existing systems.
Crucially, the subscription-based models include the option of directly purchasing the trees needed to completely offset that journey’s impact.
These will be planted in the UK and abroad through Cocoonfxmedia’s Gold Standard partner, Ecologi.com. Businesses will receive GPS codes to the actual trees that have been planted on their behalf.
As an environmentally conscious company,
CocoonFMS Ltd achieved their net-zero goal at the end of 2021, and have so far planted more than 1,600 trees in a dedicated plantation through the Ecologi partnership. This has offset 38 tonnes of carbon – equivalent to 29 long haul flights or 95,000 miles driven in a car, and the equivalent of 115 square metres of sea ice saved.
CocoonFMS is now on a mission to help other businesses do their bit for the planet – and the carbon calculator is part of that green agenda.
James Blackman, CocoonFMS Ltd Managing Partner, said: “The USP of
CocoonCarbon is that emissions can be quickly worked out across all the legs of a journey, which could be starting on a lorry in China, moving onto a ship or plane, transferring to a lorry and then to a van.
“It helps businesses understand their carbon impact and then see where improvements can be made, for example by shortening the supply chain, or perhaps by calculating the difference that would be made by having larger vehicles but fewer journeys.”
“This software can also tell you how many trees would need to be planted to offset that journey, and gives you the option to buy them, there and then, through a trusted partner. The software takes minutes to set up and can calculate the emissions of thousands of shipments. With the additional tree planting option, you can start mitigating your negative impact on the planet straight away, while planning for long term improvement measures”
“Offsetting through tree planting is not as expensive as people might think either; 20 trees cost just £10. To offset a Hong Kong to London airfreight journey would need around 200-300 trees – which would cost £75.
“Some of the trees planted bear fruit, which is then used in biofuels, some last 1000 years. Little changes can make a big difference.
“We wanted everyone to have access to the core functions of the calculator as it’s part of our ethos of helping the planet and using our technological expertise to make it easier for everyone to do that.”
“We need to take action now and while big businesses have a huge part to play, there’s also a lot of power in the collective action of all of us, whether an individual or small business.”
