United Airlines Launches Cargo Carbon Calculator

United Airlines, in partnership with Sustainable Travel International, has launched a cargo emissions and offset calculator that computes per capita carbon emissions for customers shipping via United Cargo.

United says it is the only US-based carrier to offer the calculator to its customers.

Using the calculator, cargo customers can input place of origin and destination for each flight leg, along with the weight of their shipment, to determine the total carbon footprint for their shipment. This tool proves useful in various business-to-business transactions, the airline says.

Robbie Anderson, president of United Cargo, says the industry is shifting toward the need for emissions data availability. The calculator fills this need by providing a more transparent view of customers’ carbon footprint.

The tool also enables United Cargo to respond to shipping request-for-proposals, which increasingly require the inclusion of emissions reporting data.

United says the new cargo calculator is modeled on its updated emissions and offset calculator for passenger travel. The calculation methodology recognizes actual flight data related to aircraft type, routes and seasonality, and considers the effect that additional mass has on emissions stemming from freight transport.

Additionally, the tool offers greater reporting accuracy by applying a next-generation CO2 emissions calculation methodology informed by International Air Transport Association and International Civil Aviation Organization analyses as well as European standards, United says.

The calculator provides customers the opportunity to sponsor emission reduction projects around the globe. United selected the projects based on geographic relevance to its major hubs, and all of the projects have been third-party verified to internationally recognized standards. The current portfolio of carbon offset projects includes support for forest conservation in California and Belize and renewable wind energy in Texas.

Last month DHL Global Forwarding, Freight began including an automatic carbon footprint reporting feature as part of its track and trace system. As of Oct. 1, DHL’s air and ocean freight division’s customers worldwide can see the carbon footprint of their shipments within DHL’s web-based services DHLi Public Tracking and Active Tracing. DHL customers can track their carbon emissions from any Internet-enabled device.