Carbon footprint assessment of rail-road terminal (RRT) : RRT’s role in enhancing green practices in the logistics sector
Arabgari, Tahmineh (2026)
Diplomityö
2026
School of Engineering Science, Tuotantotalous
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026041427374
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2026041427374
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this master’s thesis was to conduct a carbon footprint assessment for the Rail-Road Terminal (RRT) and its associated transport chain, and to evaluate its contribution to green logistics by applying a network design modelling approach through an intermodal rail– road solution, using the Vantaa–Oulu route as a case study.
The carbon footprint assessment was carried out in accordance with the GHG Protocol, ISO standards, and the GLEC Framework.
The calculations were conducted using business records, estimates, and an employee surveys. It is important to note that this is the first time CO₂ emissions have been calculated for this logistics terminal; therefore, where emission factor databases were not available, global factors were used. In addition, benchmarking with other logistics terminals was carried out through desktop research to gain an overview of how other logistics companies measure their CO₂ emissions and which tools they use. This helped to ensure that the applied approach is aligned with industry practices.
Due to data limitations, the carbon footprint assessment considered only the scope categories for which reliable data were available, as some categories were applicable to the RRT while others were not. The total carbon footprint of the RRT was 97.21 tonnes CO₂e. It was found that the largest source of emissions overall was purchased electricity (Scope 2.1) at 97.08 tonnes CO₂e.
Opportunities for emission reduction were identified for the RRT, including reducing energy consumption by switching to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the research explores ways to improve sustainability by designing practical tools to simplify the carbon footprint assessment process. These tools support the collection of reliable, high-quality inventory data and provide an inventory quality management system for the RRT. Additionally, by implementing a green logistics strategy through network design and modal shift, and by comparing rail–road intermodal transport with road-only transport, as well as vehicle efficiency in road freight on the Oulu–Vantaa route, the results indicate that using the RRT terminal is not only more sustainable in terms of carbon footprint but also more cost-efficient than road-only transport.
Further opportunities and research exist to apply and investigate this model across other intermodal transport operations in Finland through the RRT terminal.
The carbon footprint assessment was carried out in accordance with the GHG Protocol, ISO standards, and the GLEC Framework.
The calculations were conducted using business records, estimates, and an employee surveys. It is important to note that this is the first time CO₂ emissions have been calculated for this logistics terminal; therefore, where emission factor databases were not available, global factors were used. In addition, benchmarking with other logistics terminals was carried out through desktop research to gain an overview of how other logistics companies measure their CO₂ emissions and which tools they use. This helped to ensure that the applied approach is aligned with industry practices.
Due to data limitations, the carbon footprint assessment considered only the scope categories for which reliable data were available, as some categories were applicable to the RRT while others were not. The total carbon footprint of the RRT was 97.21 tonnes CO₂e. It was found that the largest source of emissions overall was purchased electricity (Scope 2.1) at 97.08 tonnes CO₂e.
Opportunities for emission reduction were identified for the RRT, including reducing energy consumption by switching to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the research explores ways to improve sustainability by designing practical tools to simplify the carbon footprint assessment process. These tools support the collection of reliable, high-quality inventory data and provide an inventory quality management system for the RRT. Additionally, by implementing a green logistics strategy through network design and modal shift, and by comparing rail–road intermodal transport with road-only transport, as well as vehicle efficiency in road freight on the Oulu–Vantaa route, the results indicate that using the RRT terminal is not only more sustainable in terms of carbon footprint but also more cost-efficient than road-only transport.
Further opportunities and research exist to apply and investigate this model across other intermodal transport operations in Finland through the RRT terminal.