New White Paper Published "Empowering Shippers: How Book and Claim Plus a Clear Action Plan Can Unlock Heavy Road Freight Decarbonization"

Amsterdam, December 10, 2025 - Smart Freight Centre (SFC) has authored a new white paper, with contributions from Procter & Gamble, Normec Verifavia and GRUBER Logistics, on unlocking road freight decarbonization through use of the chain of custody model, “book and claim”.

The paper, “Empowering Shippers: How Book and Claim Plus a Clear Action Plan Can Unlock Heavy Road Freight Decarbonization”, highlights how a structured, market-based approach taken by a large cargo owner can be a blueprint to overcome limitations in road freight, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of global freight transport emissions. The White Paper proposes book and claim as a practical pathway forward, showing how a shipper’s aspirations should not be limited by the sector’s inherent complexity.

The White Paper examines how voluntary, market-based approaches, specifically can enable credible low emission transportation services (LETS) procurement in road freight networks. It also presents a practical case study showing how book and claim can be applied in real-world logistics networks.

The publication explores P&G’s approach to market-based decarbonization in its carrier fleet using its Road Biofuel Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which helps facilitate collaboration with a wide spectrum of maturity levels among its carrier and transportation provider network. When sourcing and accounting for low-emission transport services and biofuel use – via any chain of custody, including book and claim – the SOP establishes clear requirements for transparency, traceability, and controls to prevent double counting. It is supported by third-party verification in accordance with SFC’s auditable Market Based Measures Specification for Logistics Emissions Reporting under the SFC Assurance Program.

The White Paper concludes that book and claim for biofuels and other low emission fuels in road freight, when implemented with robust process, independent standards, and third-party verification, offers a practical and viable pathway for shippers and carriers to achieve credible emissions mitigation and advance climate goals.

This publication has been developed in the context of the Horizon Europe–funded IKIGAI project, supporting the development of common standards and trusted emissions reporting in the logistics sector.