Decarbonizing road freight is critical. The sector is vast and varied, encompassing small carriers managing a few trucks to large logistics service providers (LSPs) operating extensive fleets and multimodal networks. Actors are increasingly under pressure to reduce emissions and provide credible, transparent reporting to shippers, regulators, and consumers alike.
From electrification to alternative fuels and smarter logistics routing, solutions are emerging, but access to these solutions remains problematic, and tracking/tracing one’s operations to these solutions remains a supply chain hurdle, similar to other modes. The market seeks transparency and accountability, and book and claim systems offer a promising approach to address these challenges. This article explores the current state of road book -and- claim, identifies challenges being worked on today and highlights the collaborative path forward.
For the above reasons, emission practices are relatively inconsistent compared to other modes. Thus, challenges of data accessibility, accuracy, and varied approaches for emission measurement are being addressed in parallel to book and claim system development.
A few elements deserve mention, starting with supply. Accurate emissions tracking and reporting for any corporate inventory—but also road book and claim —is complicated by fragmented fueling infrastructure, often purchased directly at retail stations rather than through centralized bulk deliveries (i.e., maritime and aviation). This results in the so-called ‘Gas Station Problem’: a set of challenges including the risk of misfuelling through human error, the existence of multiple brand names for essentially the same fuel product, and variability in feedstocks (even used under a single brand). Combined with limited access to the Proof of Sustainability (PoS/PoC) and a lack of standardization, it can be difficult to obtain verifiable data and increases the need for transparency, document rigor, and attention when accounting and reporting.
Subsequently, downstream actors (who facilitate and/or provide the demand for low emission trucking emission profiles) need to digest the available data and report accurately. Data needs are different for a Carrier than a Shipper, but the sheer number of road operators and small firms mean that practice is still varied around underlying transport activity and reporting transport data (i.e., ISO 14083/GLEC) and is complicated by pesky fuel data—often controlled via paper receipts or fuel cards. BEVs are a welcome and unique solution pathway for the road mode but come with their own complications as parties get used to different data and reporting.
This mode’s supply chain can be complicated! Such complexity can make it harder to compare suppliers and standardize—part of the reason why a high-integrity, market-based approach can help.
To address these gaps and facilitate the solution set, practices have developed at each level. Starting again with supply: various digital platforms— “registries”—such as 123Carbon, Shipzero, M-RETs, and TERC are operating or developing independent book and claim systems to provide EACs and/or access to solutions. Carriers, LSPs, and Shippers have or are piloting in-house solutions—ranging from straightforward EAC offerings to strategic partnerships with Solution Providers to installing onsite tanks. GMA Trucking, in partnership with SFC, is executing the first-ever joint procurement of low-carbon trucking attributes through a book and claim system. Shippers have developed their SOPs and buying requirements when procuring low emission transportation services, providing structure to a diverse market and refining the demand signal. Finally, third-party verifiers underpin many of these solutions and are increasingly seen as essential for enabling climate disclosure claims.
The road working group is designed to highlight these data challenges and promote greater alignment while users develop book and claim systems. In the end, coordination today will help avoid erroneous double counting, inconsistent reporting, and greenwashing. Collaborative action is essential to share best practices, build consistent methodology, interoperable registries, and support third-party verification. The Road Working Group continues to advocate for shared practices when applying chain of custody systems and aligning stakeholder efforts—crucial for building trust and driving real-world decarbonization.
The views expressed in this article reflect the perspectives of the Road Working Group of the Book and Claim Community as of April 2025. This group comprises a diverse set of stakeholders, including shippers, logistics service providers (LSPs), carriers, solution providers, and representatives from civil society. Readers should note that the topic of book-and-claim in the road sector is evolving, and perspectives may shift over time.
If you are interested in joining our road working group, please send us an email at: Secretariat@BookandClaimCommunity.org.
