Sustainability in transport and logistics: the new strategic axis driven by data

Sustainability in transport and logistics has become a strategic issue for companies in the sector.

It is not only a question of responding to increasingly intense regulatory pressure, but also of ensuring competitiveness in an environment where efficiency, traceability and emissions reduction are already decisive factors.

In this context, digitization and data qualityemerge as the real accelerators of decarbonization, especially in a sector undergoing a regulatory avalanche and a profound technological transformation.

Regulatory pressure on the sustainability of transport and logistics

In recent years, road freight transport, which is responsible for 93% of energy consumption in the transport sector, has been immersed in an intense regulatory process.

Some of the most relevant regulations are:

• Sustainable Mobility Act, which requires companies in the sector to measure their carbon footprint and communicate it to their customers.
• ETS II, the EU emissions trading scheme for road transport, from 2027.
• ISO 14083, which standardizes the methodology for calculating the carbon footprint.
• Greenwashing Directive, which requires extreme precision in any communication related to sustainability.
• CSRD, which establishes strict disclosure obligations, traceability requirements and the need to digitize ESG data collection processes.

All these regulations lead us to the same point: the need to obtain quality data in order to comply with regulatory requirements.

Thus, we can affirm that there will be no sustainability without data, and there will be no competitiveness without the ability to measure and report reliably.

Sustainability in transport and logistics: the value of quality data

Sustainability in transport and logistics is not only achieved through fleet renewal or the use of alternative fuels. In fact, electrification and the use of alternative fuels remain unfeasible for long distance and heavy transport.

Therefore, the first lever to decarbonize is not in vehicles, but in operational efficiency, and this can only be driven by data.

AECOC’s Sustainable Logistics Barometer highlights these data:

• Interest in sustainable logistics is increasing, according to 65% of companies.
• 93% of companies have already invested in improving the sustainability of their supply chain.
• 74% of companies measuring emissions already include Scope 3.
• 43% see data sharing as key to calculating emissions.

Despite this data, many SMEs do not have robust measurement systems in place. And without measurement, no improvement is possible. Just as without traceability, there is no certification or compliance. And without data, any sustainability claim runs the risk of being considered greenwashing.

Supply Chain Visibility Platform: the real enabler of decarbonization

All in all, digitalization has become the pillar of sustainability in transportation and logistics.

This is where a Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) platform, such as FIELDEAS Track and Trace, becomes essential to help companies achieve their sustainability goals. Why?

Reliable and automated data to measure emissions

These types of platforms allow data to be collected from multiple sources and stakeholders without relying on manual processes. This guarantees:

• Complete and standardized traceability.
• Consistent, auditable data aligned with ISO 14083.
• Calculation of emissions per shipment, route, vehicle and operator.

In addition, the integration of FIELDEAS Track and Trace facilitates compliance with the Sustainable Mobility Act and improves readiness for Lean & Green certification.

Operational optimization and efficiency

The end-to-end visibility provided by a MCS allows you to reduce empty miles, improve planning, avoid inefficiencies and measure the real impact of any action.

In an environment where 68% of the sector considers clean technology investment costs to be the biggest barrier, according to AECOC, optimizing operations is the most immediate and profitable strategy.

Lean & Green and visibility: the tandem to move towards real reduced emissions

One initiative that highlights the achievements of transport and logistics companies in sustainability is Lean & Green, Europe’s largest collaborative platform specifically aimed at reducing emissions associated with the supply chain.

However, the route to Lean & Green stars requires demonstrating verifiable reductions in emissions. This can only be achieved if companies:

1. They capture accurate transport data.
2. They measure emissions with standardized methodologies.
3. Report progress with full traceability.
4. Identify new efficiency opportunities.

A solution such as FIELDEAS Track and Trace helps to turn these four requirements into automatic and continuous processes, allowing the company to evolve from estimation to certainty, and from reaction to anticipation.

Moreover, inaction on sustainability carries risks:

• Damage to reputations
• Risk of loss of market share
• Possible penalties for non-compliance

The logistics sector is demonstrating capacity, innovation and willingness to change. Companies that integrate supply chain visibility solutions such as FIELDEAS Track and Trace will lead this transition: they will not only comply with regulations, but will turn decarbonization into a driver of efficiency, resilience and strategic advantage.