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Each of GL events UK’s seven business units manages its own supply chain, spanning a range of logistics partners, from international haulers to small, independent operators. This diversity in suppliers created significant difficulties in consolidating transportation data into a standardized format. Gathering, organizing and interpreting data for Scope 3 emissions — covering both upstream and downstream transportation and logistics — was particularly demanding. Each supplier provided data in various formats, creating an additional layer of complexity that made it difficult to create accurate, uniform reports.
Additionally, recalculating the company’s carbon emissions baseline was a complex and time intensive process. Calculating Scope 3 emissions required extensive manual calculations using the UK DEFRA emission factors. But, without standardized data from suppliers, GL events struggled to produce consistent results.
“We were spending hours manually crunching the numbers, and there were always concerns about the accuracy of the data,” Connolly explained. “Data quality issues were a constant frustration, which really slowed down our reporting process.”
GL events required a solution that could not only simplify data collection but also ensure trustworthy, auditable results for regulatory compliance and internal reporting.
The demand for sustainable solutions as well as accurate and reliable data is continuing to change the way in which traditional business transactions are being conducted. Scott Jameson, GL events UK CEO remarked: “We are beginning to witness a real shift in client demands. Demands range from alternative sustainable solutions across our whole product range beginning at the first start of our value chain right up until post-delivery with the requirement to provide a carbon impact analysis of the event we have delivered. Blue Yonder Logistics Emissions Calculator plays a pivotal role in capturing this data.”
Automated solution to standardize data collection
Recognizing the need for a streamlined, scalable emissions reporting solution, GL events UK partnered with Blue Yonder. Logistics Emissions Calculator provided a solution designed to automate and standardize emissions data collection, calculation, and reporting, offering several key benefits:
1. Time savings by automating data collection and consolidation across suppliers
Blue Yonder’s solution consolidated logistics data across all suppliers, regardless of size or location, significantly reducing the time spent gathering and formatting information. Instead of manually sorting through disparate data sets, GL events could now collect transportation data in an automated way with a consistent format.
2. Accredited calculations
The solution ensures that emissions calculations are reliable and adhere to industry standards. Its Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC)-accredited and ISO 14083-aligned solution calculates and reports emissions using an auditable and transparent process. This enabled the company to make meaningful comparisons between suppliers and track their carbon emissions with confidence.
3. Scalable across the business
The flexibility of Logistics Emissions Calculator made it easy to scale across GL events UK’s multiple business units. Whether a shipment was handled by an international hauler or a local logistics provider, Blue Yonder’s solution supported all transport modes and provided comprehensive emissions data for each. This allowed GL events to gain a complete picture of its environmental impact.
4. Data-driven decision-making for emissions reductions
With Logistics Emissions Calculator, GL events could not only gather emissions data but also leverage it to make informed decisions. The detailed insights into the environmental impact of its supply chain helped the company identify areas for improvement and implement targeted emissions reductions across its operations.
5. Seamless onboarding and support
The Logistics Emissions Calculator’s user-friendly interface and dedicated support made onboarding smooth and efficient. GL events quickly integrated the solution into their existing processes, with guidance available at every step of the way. “The team has been fantastic to work with. The solution covers everything we need, and the team was incredibly supportive during onboarding. It’s great to know we’re in the hands of experts,” Connolly said.
Results
Partnering with Blue Yonder delivers measurable benefits for GL events UK, both in terms of sustainability and operational efficiency.
1. Transparent calculations that build trust
The Accuracy™ and Clarity™ features within Logistics Emissions Calculator ensure GL events can provide fully transparent emissions data to its stakeholders. This transparency helps build trust both within the company and with customers and suppliers throughout the supply chain. Stakeholders can now clearly see how emissions are calculated and the quality of the data provided, making the company’s sustainability reporting more robust and credible.
2. Reliable data for impactful emissions reductions
The data collected through Logistics Emissions Calculator allows GL events to produce detailed reports on carbon emissions for each shipment. These insights are crucial for calculating the company’s overall carbon footprint and identifying areas for improvement. With trustworthy data at their fingertips, GL events can confidently pursue emissions reduction initiatives within their supply chain.
3. Improved efficiency
By automating the carbon accounting process, Logistics Emissions Calculator eliminated many of the manual steps that previously bogged down GL events’ supply chain team. Data collection, calculation and reporting are now all automated, reducing the risk of human error and freeing up valuable time for other strategic initiatives. This not only improves internal efficiency but also increases the reliability of the company’s emissions data.
Conclusion
Looking forward, GL events UK plans to continue its sustainability journey, leveraging Blue Yonder’s solution to further refine its emissions calculation and reporting processes and implement effective emissions reductions across its supply chain.
By partnering with Blue Yonder, GL events has made significant strides in creating a more transparent, efficient and sustainable logistics operation. As the company grows and the demand for environmentally conscious events increases, GL events is well-positioned to meet regulatory demands, reduce logistics supply chain emissions and achieve its long-term sustainability goals.
