environmental sustainability

The supply chain provides significant opportunities to improve a company’s sustainability efforts. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 75% of an organization’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stem from its supply chains, underscoring the significant opportunities for improvement.

Corporate responsibility, customer expectations and regulatory requirements have shippers examining their direct and indirect emissions, especially as they relate to logistics and transportation.

Types of Scope Emissions

There are three categories of GHG emissions: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. Each scope represents a different source of emissions, ranging from emissions created as part of a direct operation to emissions from services and suppliers.

Scope 1 Emissions: Direct Emissions From Controlled Operations

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from sources that a company owns or controls. For shippers, this includes emissions from company-owned vehicles and equipment. Emissions from warehouse operations, such as gas-powered forklifts, are also part of Scope 1.

Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect Emissions From Purchased Energy

Scope 2 emissions are indirect, deriving from an organization’s purchase of electricity. While these emissions happen at the energy provider’s site, they are tied to the company’s operations because they depend on the energy.

Scope 3 Emissions: Indirect Emissions From Upstream and Downstream Activities

Scope 3 emissions encompass all other indirect emissions in the company’s upstream and downstream value chain. This includes emissions associated with suppliers, transportation providers and end users. Scope 3 is often the largest and most complex to manage. However, because Scope 3 sources may represent most of an organization’s GHG emissions, they often provide the strongest emissions reduction opportunities.

Emissions Reporting

Many companies are proactively providing information about their emissions even without government requirements. The Governance and Accountability Institute found that in 2023, sustainability reporting hit record levels as U.S. public companies prepared for mandated disclosure. In 2023, 99% of the S&P 500 companies published sustainability reports or disclosures, up from 20% in 2011.

The EPA has created a GHG inventory development process to help companies quantify and track emissions. The four steps include:

  1. Reviewing accounting standards and methods, determining organizational and operational boundaries, and choosing a base year
  2. Collecting data and quantifying GHG emissions
  3. Developing a GHG Inventory Management Plan to formalize data collection procedures
  4. Setting a GHG emission reduction target and tracking and reporting progress

The demand for increased transparency around emissions is expected to create new responsibilities for a company’s chief financial officer. As companies quantify their carbon output, CFOs, sitting at the intersection of strategy, reporting and resource allocation, are in an ideal position to ensure that carbon management initiatives align with their company’s strategic and compliance needs.

According to McKinsey and Company, businesses can reduce costs associated with decarbonization by zeroing in on their most important emissions drivers and investing in more accurate and granular data to inform discussions with suppliers.

Opportunities To Reduce Scope 3 GHG Emissions

Shippers are increasingly adjusting their supply chains to better align with their environmental goals, and a survey from EY found that eight of 10 supply chain executives are investigating sustainable transportation practices.

There are several strategies companies can use to reduce supply chain emissions, which include the following:

Improve Routing

Optimizing transportation routes can reduce fuel use, but optimization goes beyond finding the most direct route between two points. There may be opportunities to reduce mileage by adjusting delivery windows, consolidating orders across days of the week, determining the optimal sequence of stops on multi-stop routes or changing the trailer size.

Optimize the Network

Focusing on the entire network, including the planning and design of manufacturing, warehousing or distribution facilities, as well as transportation routes, can create significant sustainability gains. Network design should consider site selection, mode selection, routing, utilization and more to shrink the carbon footprint of freight operations and reduce waste.

Utilize Backhauls

Eliminating empty miles by utilizing backhauls ensures all miles are productive, which maximizes fuel use and capacity and ultimately results in fewer trucks on the road.

Increase Visibility

Having visibility into inventory and transportation can help companies make tactical, data-driven decisions quickly, increasing efficiency. Examples include sourcing inventory from the ideal location to eliminate unnecessary miles or getting ahead of supply chain disruptions before they become more significant issues that lead to increased miles or expedited air freight.

Consolidate Shipments

A shared network provides an alternative to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments coupled with dedicated transportation that combines freight loads from multiple shippers going to a shared geographic area. Shared dedicated transportation networks can boost efficiency and sustainability by reducing miles and minimizing freight handling.

Use Energy-Efficient Warehouses

An energy-efficient warehouse can cut operational costs while improving sustainability. Using LED lighting, motion-activated lights and temperature controls can all decrease energy consumption and emissions. There may also be opportunities to use renewable energy within a warehouse.

Choose Suppliers Wisely

The EPA’s Supply Chain Guidance advises companies to strategically choose which suppliers to engage. The EPA has also developed several voluntary programs that companies can use when selecting partners. For example, SmartWay assists companies in advancing supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency, empowering companies to make strategic and sustainable choices.

Contact us to learn more about how Penske can help you track, quantify and reduce emissions in your supply chain.

Boost energy efficiency and lower impacts on the planet by reducing emissions in logistics operations

As a leader in transportation and logistics, we acknowledge our environmental responsibility to deliver sustainable logistics solutions and are committed to decarbonization and energy efficiency within our operations.


For decades, Penske has been investing in sustainable solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce the transportation sector’s environmental impacts. We are committed to moving the world forward in a way that benefits people and our planet.

Through dedicated research, strategic pilot projects and partnerships, Penske remains committed to advancing initiatives that add value to our operations and enable customers to harness the benefits of conserving resources. Our comprehensive suite of solutions — spanning equipment, strategic optimization and infrastructure — empowers businesses to achieve their environmental sustainability goals.

Vehicle Decarbonization

Battery Electric Vehicles

Penske actively works with customers to identify the routes that fit electric vehicle characteristics and select the appropriate equipment.

Penske has taken proactive steps by establishing a network of heavy-duty electric high-speed charging stations across California. Some of these locations feature an innovative battery energy storage system engineered to alleviate strain on the electric grid during peak charging periods.

Renewable Diesel

Renewable diesel is a versatile alternative fuel that is commonly made of refined plant-based oils that mimic the chemical makeup of petroleum diesel. Since it’s chemically identical, it is compatible with existing medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines and infrastructure without requiring modifications.

Renewable diesel also presents performance benefits due to its molecular composition and requires less maintenance. Penske is expanding the use of renewable diesel, which reduces overall emissions.

Vehicle Maintenance

Advanced maintenance practices enhance the performance and longevity of trucks, ensuring that they operate at optimal efficiency. Penske Logistics vehicles are equipped with telematics to help maximize productivity through data-driven service intervals that monitor vehicle health.

Sustainable Logistics Facilities

Penske Logistics strives to decarbonize warehouses and distribution centers. Our facilities power operations and essential equipment with energy efficiency in the forefront.

We decarbonize through a number of sustainable logistics practices, including:

  • Shifting a significant portion of energy usage to renewable sources
  • Expanding the number of LEED-certified facilities with sustainable architectural design and operational practices
  • Implementing focused recycling initiatives across waste streams
  • LED lighting retrofits
  • HVAC equipment upgrades
  • Electrified material handling equipment
  • Use of low GWP refrigerants
  • Use of shore power for refrigerated trailers wherever possible

Supply Chain Optimization

Penske Logistics provides strategic optimization tools to further enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness with the goal of decarbonization.

Route Optimization

We offer full-service, long-term solutions to minimize empty miles and maximize truck utilization. Through a comprehensive data analysis, we can identify opportunities for backhauls and cut empty miles, driver hours and emissions. Route optimization takes the guesswork out of logistics and minimizes excessive company dollars spent on idling on congested motorways. All of this lowers emissions with fewer miles traveled and enhances fuel efficiency.

Carbon Footprint Analysis

Our expert team of network design engineers can help you understand your transportation’s environmental impact by executing a carbon footprint analysis, which helps explain your baseline figures and different scenarios to achieve emissions savings.

Driver Development

One often overlooked tool to drive sustainability is training. Equipping drivers with knowledge of fuel efficiency and best practices can help lower environmental impacts and drive performance optimization.

Penske Logistics takes it one step further with smart features that monitor driver behaviors, reporting habits like speed trends, route selections and idle times. These features enhance both fuel efficiency and safety.

Navigating Changing Regulations

Emission regulations in the transportation industry are becoming increasingly strict and complex. This makes it challenging for operators and carriers to stay on top of existing requirements and future developments. Penske can keep your vehicles compliant in all states where you operate.

Penske is ahead of ever-changing regulations, taking proactive measures to protect our customers’ brands as well as our own. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team monitors federal, state and local requirements and handles all the necessary paperwork and vehicle enhancements. Penske has the resources and expertise to track these requirements and work with manufacturers to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

Penske Energy – EV Charging Infrastructure

Penske Transportation Solutions and ForeFront Power have launched a new joint venture called Penske Energy LLC. Accessible energy infrastructure helps commercial fleet operators optimize EV charging capabilities that support and safeguard their operations.

Penske Energy can help Penske Logistics customers deploy EV charging infrastructure.

Awards and Noteworthy Partnerships

Since 2008, Penske has actively engaged in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership, earning prestigious accolades including:

  • Seven EPA SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Awards
  • Six EPA SmartWay Excellence Awards
  • 2022 High Performer in both the Logistics and Carrier categories by EPA SmartWay

As one of over 1,300 partner organizations committed to utilizing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually, we proudly endorse and participate in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership.

Furthermore, we proudly serve as a founding sponsor of the annual State of Sustainable Fleets Market Brief, an invaluable resource providing insights into sustainable technology decisions made by on-road fleets across America, offered at no cost.

Our sustainability measures have garnered additional recognition, including:

  • U.S. EPA – Clean Air Excellence Award
  • Food Logistics Magazine Top Green Provider
  • Supply and Demand Chain Executive Green Supply Chain Award
  • Inbound Logistics Magazines Green Supply Chain Partner

Submit a Sustainability Inquiry

Tell us about your unique business needs, so we can help you reach your sustainability goals. Visit our contact page.