Category 4 Starter Kit: Upstream Transportation and Distribution

Estimate emissions from moving goods you purchase (only where it matters)

Scope 3, Made PracticalCoreStarter Kit30 min

What you'll accomplish

  • Decide if Cat 4 is relevant for your organization
  • Identify major inbound logistics flows (if applicable)
  • Build a minimum viable estimate using spend or distance data
  • Document gaps and improvement path

Is Cat 4 relevant for you?

Cat 4 covers transportation of goods you purchase, paid for by you or arranged by you. For most real estate organizations, this is often not material unless you:

  • •Manage large construction/development projects with significant material deliveries
  • •Operate properties with major inbound supplies (hospitality, retail)
  • •Have logistics operations you directly control

Quick start (30 minutes)

  • •List major purchased goods categories
  • •Identify which have significant inbound logistics you pay for
  • •Estimate using spend-based factors or distance × weight
  • •Document as 'screened' with rationale if not material

Common pitfalls

Spending time on immaterial categories

Fix: Screen first, estimate only if material

Double-counting with Cat 1

Fix: Cat 1 spend-based factors often include some transport

Chasing supplier logistics data

Fix: Use estimates; perfect data is rarely available

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release