In a time when sustainability in logistics is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a regulatory and reputational necessity, the transport industry finds itself facing a unique challenge: it must move more goods, more efficiently, while cutting carbon emissions by as much as 90% by 2050.
A puzzle like this needs precision, clarity—and above all—data 
.
At our recent event in Athens, we were proud to host Dr. Dimitrios Kourtesis, PhD, whose work is shaping the future of logistics carbon accounting through the platform CO2Path. His presentation offered a deep dive into the emerging regulatory landscape and the tools carriers and logistics companies must now adopt to stay compliant, competitive, and truly sustainable.
🚚Transport: Europe’s Biggest Climate Challenge
While Europe is reducing emissions in many sectors, transport has become the EU’s largest climate problem—with freight emissions up by 45% since 1990. By 2030, it’s expected to represent half of the EU’s total emissions. To respond to this, the EU has rolled out an ambitious framework including:
- EU ETS 2: Emissions trading expanded to road transport (active from 2027)
- CSRD: Mandatory ESG reporting with third-party assurance
- CountEmissions EU: Standardized calculation & disclosure using ISO 14083
This regulatory wave is reshaping how logistics must function. Emissions are no longer a background concern—they are now a cost center, a reporting obligation, and a competitive differentiator.
⚙️The Power of CO2Path: Turning complexity into clarity
This is where Dr. Kourtesis’s platform, CO2Path, plays a transformative role. Built around ISO 14083, it offers an automated, auditable, and data-driven system for carbon accounting in freight logistics.
CO2Path connects directly to freight forwarders’ TMS or ERP systems via API, pulling real-time operational data and transforming it into:
- Consignment-level emissions reports
- Journey and shipment aggregations
- Organization-wide emissions dashboards
- Audit-ready records for compliance with EU laws
What sets CO2Path apart is its focus on primary data, validation, and transparency. Every data point is quality-checked, and the emission trail is traceable—making it easier for carriers and logistics providers to report and improve with confidence.
Beyond Reporting: Enabling Real Emission Reductions
Measurement is only the beginning. Once logistics professionals understand their carbon intensity (e.g., kg CO₂e per tone-kilometre), they can act:
- Optimize routes and vehicle utilization
- Shift modes where feasible (e.g., to sea or rail)
- Choose greener fuel options via Book & Claim
- Engage in verified emissions reporting, not estimations
🎯Dr. Kourtesis reminds us of Lord Kelvin’s famous quote: “If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it.” That’s exactly the mission behind CO2Path.
How This Connects to DS Freight Forwarding and myDS
At DS Freight Forwarding, we recognize that meaningful sustainability in logistics starts with systems that speak the same language. That’s why our own platform, myDS, is now connected with CO2Path—bridging real-time transport data with high-accuracy carbon accounting.
This integration not only ensures that we stay ahead of EU regulations, but also gives our clients a transparent view of their logistics emissions, helping them meet their own sustainability goals with confidence and clarity.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability in logistics is no longer a guessing game. With leaders like Dr. Kourtesis paving the way in emissions tracking, and with platforms like CO2Path and myDS working together, the road to cleaner transport becomes less uncertain—and more actionable.
If you’re a carrier, shipper, or logistics stakeholder wondering where to begin, start by measuring📈♻️. The rest will follow.
This blog post is based on the presentation by Mr. Dimitris Kourtesis who was one of our speakers at DS Freight Forwarding’s client event in Athens. We sincerely thank him for sharing his insights, inspiring perspectives, and for contributing to the collective effort to reduce carbon emissions.
Connect with him on LinkedIn: profile here
