Which shipping mode produces the least emissions?

Ocean shipping at about 0.01 lbs CO2 per ton-mile, followed by rail at 0.05. Air freight is most intensive at 2.2.

How do I pick the right mode factor?

Use Truck = 0.37, Rail = 0.05, Ocean = 0.01, Air = 2.2 lbs CO2 per ton-mile. For mixed-mode shipping, use a weighted average.

Yes. Expedited shipping often uses air freight, producing 6x more CO2 than truck and 40x more than rail per ton-mile.

Estimate CO2 emissions from shipping packages or freight by truck, ship, rail, or air.

Package Weight

lbs

Shipping Distance

miles

Transport Mode Factor

lbs CO2/ton-mile

Shipping CO2

0.84 kg CO2

Shipping CO2 (lbs)1.85 lbs

Emission Intensity0.1850 lbs CO2/lb

Shipping CO2 vs Package Weight

Shipping emissions depend on weight, distance, and transport mode.

Truck: ~0.37

Rail: ~0.05

Ocean Ship: ~0.01

Air freight: ~2.2

CO2 = (Weight / 2000) * Distance * Mode Factor

Ship a 10-lb package 1,000 miles by truck.

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