Carbon footprint for a passenger transport operator
The fleet produces almost four-fifths of emissions. We showed where they come from, how the company compares with the market and which reductions are realistic, including electrification scenarios.
The project at a glance
- Client
- Passenger transport operator, domestic and international
- Size
- more than 200 employees, own fleet of more than 90 vehicles, mostly coaches
- Experience
- more than 30 years in the market
- Service
- Carbon footprint (Scope 1, 2 and 3) + reduction measures
- Methodology
- GHG Protocol Corporate Standard; IPCC, DEFRA and EEA emission factors
- Boundary
- operational control
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Data sources
- fuel records, energy invoices, route and mileage reports, accounting records
tCO₂e — 2024 footprint, Scope 1, 2 and 3
of emissions come from the company’s own fleet (Scope 1)
reduction measures, each with its estimated reduction and implementation complexity
tCO₂e less per year if 20% of the fleet goes electric
The context
For a transport operator, fuel is both the biggest cost and the biggest source of emissions.
The company wanted to know exactly where its emissions come from and which measures to tackle first: a basis for investment decisions, for discussions with lenders and for contracts where ESG criteria count.
The challenge
- Emissions are concentrated in the fleetVehicles across different Euro classes, from Euro 2 to Euro 6.
- Incomplete data in the value chainFor some Scope 3 categories there was no direct data, so we used conservative, documented estimates.
- Decisions, not just a numberThe company needed to know what the footprint means for costs and investment.
The fleet: almost four-fifths of emissions
A total footprint of about 2,700 tCO₂e, calculated to the GHG Protocol across Scope 1, 2 and 3, using fuel records, energy invoices and accounting data.
Below the national average, with room to improve against the EU
The company is below the Romanian average on every indicator. Against the European average, the main opportunity is the fleet.
| Indicator | The company | Romania average | EU average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions per employee | 13.7 tCO₂e | ~15 tCO₂e | ~13 tCO₂e |
| Emissions per vehicle | 20.8 tCO₂e | ~24 tCO₂e | ~20 tCO₂e |
| Euro 6 vehicles | 54% | ~45% | ~60% |
Sources for the averages: Eurostat, EEA, Transport & Environment, Statista.
Euro 6 vehicles, more than half the fleet, produce the most emissions in total because they are used the most.
of CO₂ a year from each Euro 2 or Euro 3 vehicle. Though few, they are the first candidates for replacement.
Three reduction measures, quantified
-
Measure 1
Green electricity
up to 100% of Scope 2 · low complexity
A supplier of renewable electricity with guarantees of origin. No technical changes to existing equipment.
-
Measure 2
Route optimisation and eco-driving
8–15% of Scope 1 · medium complexity
Digital route planning, fewer empty kilometres and less idling, plus efficient-driving training for drivers.
-
Measure 3
Fleet renewal and alternative fuels
20–35% of Scope 1 · high complexity
Replacing older vehicles with hybrid or electric ones, depending on how much of the fleet is renewed. Requires investment, budget and charging infrastructure.
What fleet electrification means, in tonnes
We simulated progressive electrification of the fleet, from 0% to 50%. With 20% of the fleet electric, emissions fall by about 490 tCO₂ a year; at 50%, by more than 1,250 tCO₂ a year.
- 0% electric fleet~2,530 tCO₂/yr current situation
- 10% electric fleet~2,290 tCO₂/yr ~10% reduction
- 20% electric fleet~2,040 tCO₂/yr ~19% reduction
- 30% electric fleet~1,800 tCO₂/yr ~29% reduction
- 40% electric fleet~1,520 tCO₂/yr ~40% reduction
- 50% electric fleet~1,280 tCO₂/yr ~49% reduction
Deliverables
- Carbon footprint, Scope 1, 2 and 3to the GHG Protocol
- Operational indicatorsper employee, per vehicle, fleet structure
- Comparison with Romanian and EU averages
- Fleet analysis by Euro class
- Three reduction measureswith the estimated reduction and complexity of each
- Fleet electrification scenariosfrom 10% to 50%
A clear map of emissions and three reduction pathways, each with its estimated impact.
Recommended next steps: an internal action plan on the three pathways, annual footprint monitoring and exploring green finance for fleet renewal and energy efficiency.
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