How can I audit my fleet’s carbon emissions?

To audit your fleet’s carbon emissions you will need a record of your fuel consumption (including type of fuel), vehicle mileage and journey distances. This data can then be used to calculate related carbon emissions.

Auditing your fleet’s carbon emissions helps monitor environmental impact, comply with regulations, and plan for more sustainable strategies. 

Key steps to audit your fleet’s carbon emissions:

Track fuel consumption & mileage

• Use driver logs and receipts
• Use fuel cards to track purchases and consumption by vehicle
• Use telematics & fleet management software to easily record mileage

Calculate CO₂ emissions

• Use Fleet management software to calculate CO2 emissions
• Use DEFRA conversion factors (UK) to estimate emissions from fuel usage.
  Apply the formula: CO₂ emissions (kg) = fuel consumed (litres) × emission factor (kg CO₂/litre)

Review and improve

Compare your fleet’s performance against industry benchmarks to assess next steps such as:

• Monitor and manage driver behaviour to reduce CO₂ output.
• Identify high-consumption vehicles for efficiency improvements.
• Consider biofuels, HVO, or renewable diesel to reduce carbon output.
• Transition to electric or hybrid vehicles where feasible.
• Explore carbon offset programs for unavoidable emissions.

Conduct regular audits & reports

• Create quarterly or annual reports for internal tracking and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to sustainability targets and government regulations.
• Adjust policies to continuously improve fleet efficiency and emissions reduction.

Regularly auditing your fleet’s emissions helps you identify cost-saving opportunities, enhance sustainability, and work towards a greener fleet.