In April 2026, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) announced a new partnership with the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) to provide discounted emissions training to UK freight forwarders. The collaboration gives BIFA members access to expert-led courses on the GLEC Framework, market-based measures, and road freight electrification through the SFC Academy.
For UK forwarders facing growing pressure from customers, regulators, and airline partners to report emissions accurately, the partnership addresses a practical skills gap. This article explains what the training covers, why emissions literacy matters now, and how forwarders can use it to strengthen their competitive position. For operators evaluating green logistics options, accurate emissions accounting is the foundation.
The Partnership at a Glance
Announced on 15 April 2026, the BIFA-SFC partnership connects the UK’s largest freight forwarding trade association with the Amsterdam-based non-profit that developed the GLEC Framework — the global standard for logistics emissions calculation and reporting.
What it delivers:
- Discounted access to SFC Academy courses for BIFA members (the exact discount percentage has not been publicly disclosed)
- Three core course areas: GLEC Framework emissions accounting, market-based measures (book & claim, carbon credits, SAF certificates), and road freight electrification
- Scope for expansion: Both organisations indicated the collaboration may grow as the sector’s need for practical decarbonisation guidance increases
The partnership builds on BIFA’s existing sustainability work. The association established its Sustainable Logistics Policy Group in 2023, appointing Sam Warren of Woodland Group as its first chair in 2024. In April 2025, BIFA released a “10 Steps” good practice guide for members covering emissions measurement, alternative fuels, and ESG accreditation — though this resource sits behind the members-only section of BIFA’s website.
Steve Parker, BIFA Director General, described the SFC partnership as “BIFA’s latest initiative in equipping the trade association’s members with the information and support that they require to deliver emissions reporting and decarbonisation solutions that are viable operationally and commercially.”
Understanding the GLEC Framework
The Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework is the foundation of the training. It provides a harmonised methodology for calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions across multi-modal supply chains — road, rail, sea, and air freight combined.
What the GLEC Framework does:
- Harmonises GHG reporting across different transport modes and logistics sites
- Aligns with ISO 14083, the internationally recognised standard for logistics emissions calculation published in March 2023
- Works alongside the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, UN Global Green Freight Action Plan, and CDP reporting requirements
- Provides the primary industry guideline for implementing ISO 14083 in practice
The current version is GLEC Framework v3.2, published in October 2025. It serves as the bridge between high-level standards and the practical calculations forwarders need to perform when customers request emissions data for their shipments.
For forwarders, the framework matters because it creates consistency. A shipper moving goods from Birmingham to Rotterdam by road, then onward to Shanghai by sea, can receive a single emissions figure calculated using the same methodology regardless of which forwarder they use — provided both are applying GLEC correctly.
The Three Course Pillars
The SFC Academy offers structured training across three areas directly relevant to forwarders building emissions reporting capability.
1. GLEC Framework and ISO 14083 Calculation
This is the core technical course. It covers the methodology for calculating logistics emissions across all transport modes, including:
- Activity data collection (distance, fuel consumption, load factors)
- Emission factor selection and application
- Allocation methods for shared transport (how to split emissions between multiple shippers using the same container or vehicle)
- Reporting formats that meet customer and regulatory requirements
The course includes both e-training modules and live workshops where participants work through calculation exercises with guidance from SFC technical staff.
2. Market-Based Measures and Book & Claim
As the industry develops mechanisms for purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, and carbon credits, forwarders need to understand how these instruments work and how they can be applied to freight shipments.
This course covers:
- Book and claim systems: How to purchase environmental attributes separately from the physical fuel, enabling shippers to support low-carbon fuels even when physical delivery isn’t feasible
- SAF certificates: The emerging market for sustainable aviation fuel credits and how they apply to air freight
- Carbon credits: Quality standards, verification, and the difference between offsetting and in-sector decarbonisation
- Practical application: When and how to offer these options to customers without greenwashing
For air freight forwarders especially, this training is becoming essential. Several airlines now offer SAF blending options, and shippers are asking forwarders to explain how these purchases affect their Scope 3 emissions reporting.
3. Road Freight Electrification
Electric vehicles are entering the road freight market faster than many operators expected. This course provides practical guidance on:
- Technology options (battery electric vs. hydrogen fuel cell for different duty cycles)
- Infrastructure requirements (charging depot design, grid connection, charging times)
- Total cost of ownership modelling
- Transition planning for mixed fleets
For forwarders operating their own road fleets or contracting closely with hauliers, understanding electrification timelines helps with strategic planning. A 2025 BIFA survey found that 34% of member companies had been asked by customers to provide electric vehicle options for domestic road freight — up from 12% in 2023. For hauliers evaluating electric HGV charging infrastructure, this training provides the emissions-accounting foundation to complement hardware investment decisions.
Related Reading
For more on sustainable logistics practices, see our guide to green logistics and carbon reduction. If you’re evaluating freight modes, compare the emissions profile of air freight vs sea freight.
Why Emissions Reporting Matters Now
The commercial and regulatory pressure on forwarders to report emissions accurately is intensifying across multiple fronts.
Regulatory Drivers
EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): Large companies submitted their first CSRD reports in early 2025, covering financial year 2024. The directive requires detailed disclosure of environmental impacts and supply chain emissions. SMEs begin reporting on 2026 emissions in 2027. Forwarders serving EU-based shippers will be asked to provide emissions data for inclusion in their customers’ reports.
UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS): The UK’s equivalent framework, formerly known as UK SDS, published final standards expected to take effect for accounting periods from 1 January 2026. UK forwarders serving large domestic companies will face similar data requests.
EU Emissions Trading System for shipping: From 1 January 2026, shipping companies must submit allowances for 100% of verified CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions for all voyages involving EU or EEA ports. While the obligation falls on shipowners, the cost will flow through the supply chain, and forwarders need to understand how this affects pricing and customer communications.
UK and EU CBAM: The UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is under development. The EU CBAM requires importers of cement, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, hydrogen, and electricity to declare embedded emissions and purchase certificates from January 2026, with first declarations due in May 2027. Forwarders handling these commodities need to support customers with data collection.
Commercial Pressure
Beyond regulation, forwarders face growing demands from customers and partners:
- Large shippers subject to CSRD/UK SRS need accurate Scope 3 emissions data from their logistics providers to complete their own reports
- Airline partners are increasingly requiring forwarders to understand and correctly apply SAF certificate purchases and book-and-claim transactions
- Tender processes now frequently include emissions reporting capability as a scoring criterion — forwarders who can demonstrate GLEC-aligned methodology have a competitive advantage
- Credibility in the supply chain: Consistent, verified emissions data builds trust. Forwarders who can explain their calculations and show alignment with recognised standards position themselves as strategic partners rather than commodity vendors
- Supply chain due diligence: The supply chain due diligence landscape increasingly includes carbon reporting alongside human rights and environmental safeguards
Jamie McKean, BIFA Sustainable Logistics Policy Adviser, noted: “The SFC Academy is widely respected for its pragmatic and industry-focused approach to sustainability training. Through this partnership, and by offering discounted access to its courses, BIFA members will be better equipped with the tools and knowledge they need.”
What This Means for UK Forwarders
The BIFA-SFC partnership is a practical response to a skills gap. Emissions reporting has moved from a niche sustainability concern to a core operational capability — and many forwarders lack in-house expertise.
Who should consider the training:
- Operations managers responsible for customer reporting requests
- Business development teams tendering for contracts with large shippers
- Compliance officers tracking regulatory changes
- Senior leadership setting decarbonisation strategy
How to access it:
BIFA members can access the discounted courses through the SFC Academy website. Non-members can still enrol at standard rates, though the discount makes the training significantly more accessible for BIFA’s approximately 1,500 member companies.
What you’ll be able to do after training:
- Calculate shipment-level emissions using GLEC-aligned methodology
- Explain the difference between well-to-wheel and tank-to-wheel emissions to customers
- Apply market-based measures correctly without greenwashing risk
- Respond to tender questions on emissions reporting with confidence
- Support customers with CSRD/UK SRS data requirements
For forwarders who have been unsure where to start on emissions reporting, the SFC Academy courses provide a structured entry point. The GLEC Framework in particular offers a recognised methodology that customers will accept — reducing the risk of spending time on calculations that later need to be redone to meet a shipper’s reporting standard.
Key Takeaways
- BIFA and Smart Freight Centre partnered in April 2026 to give UK forwarders discounted access to emissions training through the SFC Academy
- Three course areas: GLEC Framework emissions accounting, market-based measures (SAF, book & claim, carbon credits), and road freight electrification
- GLEC Framework v3.2 is the global standard for multi-modal logistics emissions calculation, aligned with ISO 14083
- Regulatory pressure is intensifying: CSRD, UK SRS, EU ETS for shipping, and CBAM all require accurate emissions data that forwarders must support
- Commercial advantage: Forwarders with GLEC-aligned reporting capability are better positioned for tenders from large shippers subject to sustainability reporting requirements
- Training is accessible: BIFA members get discounted rates; courses include both e-learning and live workshops with SFC technical staff
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the discount for BIFA members?
The exact discount percentage has not been publicly disclosed. BIFA and SFC describe it as “discounted access” without specifying a figure. BIFA members should contact the association directly or visit the SFC Academy website for current pricing.
Do I need to be a BIFA member to access SFC Academy courses?
No. The SFC Academy is open to all organisations. The BIFA partnership provides discounted rates for members, but non-members can enrol at standard prices.
Is GLEC Framework certification required by law?
No. There is no legal requirement to use GLEC specifically. However, the framework is widely recognised and aligns with ISO 14083, making it the de facto standard for logistics emissions reporting. Many large shippers specify GLEC-aligned methodology in their tender requirements.
How long does the training take?
The SFC Academy offers courses in different formats. E-training modules can be completed at your own pace, typically requiring 4-8 hours depending on the course. Live workshops are usually half-day or full-day sessions. Check the academy.smartfreightcentre.org website for current course schedules and durations.
Will this training help with CSRD reporting?
Yes, indirectly. CSRD requires companies to report Scope 3 emissions from their supply chains, including logistics. The GLEC Framework training equips forwarders to provide the emissions data that their customers need for CSRD compliance. Forwarders who understand the methodology can also advise customers on what data is required and how to collect it.
What’s the difference between GLEC and ISO 14083?
ISO 14083 is the international standard published in March 2023 that sets out the principles and requirements for logistics emissions calculation. The GLEC Framework is the industry guideline that explains how to implement ISO 14083 in practice. Think of ISO 14083 as the “what” and GLEC as the “how”. The GLEC Framework v3.2 was updated to align fully with ISO 14083.
Are there any articles on related topics?
For forwarders building broader compliance capability, see our guide on EORI numbers and CDS enrolment. While this focuses on customs rather than emissions, it covers an adjacent compliance workflow that forwarders manage alongside sustainability reporting.