8  Freight transport emission factors

We provide emission factors for freighting goods (in tonne kilometres, tkm) and for the actual freight vehicles (in km). We provide freight vehicle emission factors (in km) for road light commercial and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Users should note that these are average emission factors for certain vehicle categories of the New Zealand vehicle fleet. The actual emissions for a specific vehicle for a specific trip could be different.

8.1 Overview of emission factor changes from 2025 to 2026

Table 8.1: Summary of changes to freight emission factors
Section Total EFs EFs added EFs removed EFs changed Explanation for change
Air Freight 6 0 0 6 DESNZ 2025 freight flight factors changed.
Domestic Coastal Freight 3 0 0 0
Freighting Goods by Road 3 0 0 3 Changes are due to updated upstream fuel factors.
Heavy Goods Vehicles 66 0 0 66 Changes are due to updated upstream fuel, purchased electricity, and electricity transmission and distribution loss factors.
International Sea Freight 29 0 0 4 DESNZ 2025 sea-freight factors changed.
Light Commercial Vehicles 159 0 0 159 Changes are due to updated upstream fuel, purchased electricity, and electricity transmission and distribution loss factors.
Rail Freight 1 0 0 1 Kiwirail source data was refreshed.

For detailed information on the emission factor changes, download the Emission factor changes CSV file from Appendix G.

8.2 Road freight

Entities freighting goods through third-party providers can categorise road freight emissions as indirect (Scope 3). We generated emission factors for freight vehicles (in km travelled) and an average emission factor for freighting goods by road in tkm. Where the entity’s goods are only part of the load, the tkm emission factor should be used as the way of allocating emissions between the different goods on the same truck. Downstream and upstream transportation and distribution can also be considered. Refer to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.

The three road freight emission factors provided in tkm are for urban delivery heavy trucks, long-haul heavy trucks and all trucks. Urban delivery heavy trucks include vans and road user charge (RUC) type 2 trucks, such as those powered vehicles with two axles. Please note these trucks could carry trailers and most of their travel would be for urban delivery. Long-haul heavy trucks include other RUC types, such as those powered vehicles with three or more axles. Most of them would be used for relatively long-distance travel. The emission factor for “all trucks” should be used for a large fleet with a good mix of small and large trucks. Users should be aware that the emission behaviour of individual vehicles could vary greatly.

Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model provided the real-world fuel consumption rates of the vehicle fleet. We decided to split the fleet into three categories and develop average emission factors for these.

  • Pre-2010 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from 1970 to 2010. We assume there are no electric vehicles or diesel hybrids.

  • 2010–2015 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from vehicles produced between 2010 and 2015.

  • Post-2015 fleet is based on the average fuel consumption data from vehicles produced from 2015 onwards.

8.2.0.1 TONNE KILOMETRES (TKM)

A tkm is the distance travelled multiplied by the weight of freight carried by the Light Commercial Vehicle or Heavy Goods Vehicle. For example, a Heavy Goods Vehicle carrying 5 tonnes freight over 100 km has a tkm value of 500 tkm. The carbon emissions are calculated from these factors by multiplying the number of tkm the user has for the distance and weight of the goods being moved, by the emission factors provided in Table 8.11.

8.2.1 Light commercial vehicle emission factors

Table 8.2: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured pre-2010
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Pre 2010 Fleet
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.211745 0.20282 0.00270904 0.00621554
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.227361 0.217778 0.00290883 0.00667394
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.306765 0.293836 0.00392472 0.00900477
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.324499 0.310822 0.0041516 0.00952532
Petrol: >=3000 cc km 0.370553 0.354935 0.00474082 0.0108772
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.221741 0.218312 0.000327747 0.00310189
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.213385 0.210084 0.000315396 0.00298499
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.284062 0.279668 0.00041986 0.00397368
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.304587 0.299876 0.000450198 0.00426081
Diesel: >=3000 cc km 0.30842 0.30365 0.000455864 0.00431443
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.167167 0.160121 0.00213871 0.00490701
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.179495 0.17193 0.00229645 0.0052689
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.242183 0.231976 0.00309846 0.00710903
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.256183 0.245386 0.00327758 0.00751999
Petrol hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.292542 0.280212 0.00374275 0.00858726
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.198775 0.195701 0.000293802 0.00278062
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.191284 0.188326 0.00028273 0.00267583
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.254641 0.250703 0.000376375 0.00356212
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.273041 0.268818 0.000403571 0.00381951
Diesel hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.276477 0.272201 0.000408649 0.00386758
Table 8.3: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2010–2015 Fleet
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.187593 0.179686 0.00240004 0.00550659
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.201428 0.192938 0.00257705 0.0059127
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.271775 0.26032 0.00347706 0.00797768
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.287486 0.275369 0.00367807 0.00843885
Petrol: >=3000 cc km 0.328288 0.314451 0.00420008 0.00963654
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.196449 0.193411 0.000290364 0.00274809
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.189046 0.186122 0.000279421 0.00264452
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.251661 0.247769 0.000371971 0.00352044
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.269846 0.265672 0.000398848 0.00377481
Diesel: >=3000 cc km 0.273242 0.269015 0.000403868 0.00382232
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.1481 0.141858 0.00189477 0.00434731
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.159022 0.15232 0.00203451 0.00466792
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.214559 0.205516 0.00274505 0.00629817
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.226963 0.217397 0.00290374 0.00666225
Petrol hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.259174 0.248251 0.00331585 0.00760779
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.176216 0.173491 0.000260458 0.00246505
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.169575 0.166953 0.000250643 0.00237216
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.225742 0.222251 0.00033366 0.00315786
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.242053 0.23831 0.00035777 0.00338603
Diesel hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.2451 0.241309 0.000362272 0.00342865
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0775055 0.0742388 0.000991597 0.00227509
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0832215 0.0797139 0.00106473 0.00244288
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.112286 0.107553 0.00143658 0.00329604
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.118777 0.113771 0.00151962 0.00348658
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.135635 0.129918 0.00173529 0.00398141
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.00853479 0.00826029 0.000261178 0.0000133231
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00916423 0.00886949 0.000280439 0.0000143057
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0103682 0.0100348 0.000317284 0.0000161852
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0127698 0.0123591 0.000390777 0.0000199342
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0149272 0.0144471 0.000456794 0.0000233018
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0922199 0.0907936 0.000136307 0.00129004
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0887445 0.0873719 0.00013117 0.00124143
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.118138 0.116311 0.000174616 0.00165261
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.126675 0.124715 0.000187233 0.00177202
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.128269 0.126285 0.000189589 0.00179433
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.00865716 0.00837872 0.000264922 0.0000135141
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00831491 0.00804748 0.000254449 0.0000129799
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.00911057 0.00881755 0.000278797 0.0000142219
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0103118 0.00998018 0.000315558 0.0000160971
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0121962 0.011804 0.000373223 0.0000190387
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.0179052 0.0173293 0.000547925 0.0000279505
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0192257 0.0186073 0.000588334 0.0000300119
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0217516 0.021052 0.000665631 0.0000339549
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0267899 0.0259283 0.000819811 0.0000418199
Electric vehicle: >=3000 cc km 0.0313157 0.0303085 0.000958309 0.0000488849
Table 8.4: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2020
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2015–2020 Fleet
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.177648 0.170161 0.00227282 0.00521468
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.19075 0.18271 0.00244044 0.00559927
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.257368 0.246521 0.00329274 0.00755477
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.272246 0.260772 0.00348309 0.0079915
Petrol: >=3000 cc km 0.310885 0.297782 0.00397743 0.0091257
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.186035 0.183158 0.000274972 0.00260241
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.179024 0.176255 0.000264609 0.00250433
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.238321 0.234635 0.000352252 0.00333382
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.255541 0.251589 0.000377705 0.00357471
Diesel: >=3000 cc km 0.258757 0.254755 0.000382458 0.00361969
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.140249 0.134338 0.00179433 0.00411686
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.150592 0.144245 0.00192666 0.00442047
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.203185 0.194622 0.00259953 0.00596429
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.214931 0.205872 0.00274981 0.00630908
Petrol hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.245435 0.235091 0.00314007 0.0072045
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.167368 0.164779 0.00024738 0.00234127
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.16106 0.158569 0.000238057 0.00225304
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.214406 0.21109 0.000316906 0.00299929
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.229899 0.226343 0.000339804 0.00321601
Diesel hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.232792 0.229191 0.000344081 0.00325648
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0733969 0.0703033 0.000939031 0.00215449
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0788099 0.0754882 0.00100829 0.00231338
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.106334 0.101852 0.00136042 0.00312131
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.112481 0.10774 0.00143907 0.00330175
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.128444 0.123031 0.00164331 0.00377035
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.00823203 0.00796727 0.000251913 0.0000128505
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00883914 0.00855485 0.000270491 0.0000137982
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0100005 0.00967881 0.000306029 0.000015611
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0123169 0.0119207 0.000376915 0.000019227
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0143976 0.0139346 0.00044059 0.0000224752
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0875891 0.0862344 0.000129462 0.00122527
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0842882 0.0829845 0.000124583 0.00117909
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.112206 0.110471 0.000165847 0.00156963
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.120314 0.118453 0.000177831 0.00168304
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.121828 0.119944 0.000180069 0.00170422
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.00835006 0.0080815 0.000255525 0.0000130347
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00801995 0.00776201 0.000245423 0.0000125194
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.00878739 0.00850476 0.000268907 0.0000137174
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.00994604 0.00962615 0.000304364 0.0000155261
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0117636 0.0113852 0.000359983 0.0000183633
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.01727 0.0167145 0.000528488 0.000026959
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0185437 0.0179472 0.000567464 0.0000289473
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.02098 0.0203052 0.000642019 0.0000327504
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0258396 0.0250085 0.00079073 0.0000403364
Electric vehicle: >=3000 cc km 0.0302049 0.0292334 0.000924315 0.0000471508
Table 8.5: Emission factors for light commercial vehicles manufactured after 2020
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Post 2020 Fleet
Petrol: <1350 cc km 0.169019 0.161895 0.00216241 0.00496138
Petrol: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.181484 0.173835 0.00232189 0.00532729
Petrol: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.244867 0.234546 0.0031328 0.0071878
Petrol: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.259022 0.248105 0.0033139 0.00760332
Petrol: >=3000 cc km 0.295784 0.283317 0.00378423 0.00868242
Diesel: <1350 cc km 0.177833 0.175082 0.000262847 0.00248766
Diesel: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.171131 0.168484 0.000252942 0.00239391
Diesel: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.227813 0.224289 0.000336721 0.00318682
Diesel: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.244274 0.240495 0.000361051 0.00341709
Diesel: >=3000 cc km 0.247348 0.243522 0.000365595 0.00346009
Petrol hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.134512 0.128842 0.00172093 0.00394845
Petrol hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.144432 0.138345 0.00184785 0.00423965
Petrol hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.194874 0.18666 0.0024932 0.00572032
Petrol hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.206139 0.197451 0.00263732 0.006051
Petrol hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.235396 0.225474 0.00301163 0.00690979
Diesel hybrid: <1350 cc km 0.16074 0.158254 0.000237584 0.00224856
Diesel hybrid: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.154682 0.15229 0.00022863 0.00216382
Diesel hybrid: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.205916 0.202731 0.000304357 0.00288052
Diesel hybrid: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.220795 0.21738 0.000326348 0.00308865
Diesel hybrid: >=3000 cc km 0.223574 0.220116 0.000330455 0.00312752
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0703945 0.0674275 0.00090062 0.00206636
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0755861 0.0724003 0.00096704 0.00221875
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.101984 0.0976856 0.00130477 0.00299363
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.10788 0.103333 0.0013802 0.00316669
PHEV (Petrol) – Petrol consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.12319 0.117998 0.00157608 0.00361612
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.00801105 0.00775339 0.00024515 0.0000125055
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00860186 0.0083252 0.00026323 0.0000134278
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.00973199 0.00941899 0.000297814 0.000015192
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0119862 0.0116007 0.000366796 0.0000187109
PHEV (Petrol) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0140111 0.0135605 0.000428762 0.0000218719
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0841207 0.0828196 0.000124335 0.00117675
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0809505 0.0796984 0.00011965 0.0011324
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.107763 0.106096 0.00015928 0.00150747
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.115549 0.113762 0.000170789 0.0016164
PHEV (Diesel) – Diesel consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.117004 0.115194 0.000172938 0.00163674
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: <1350 cc km 0.0081259 0.00786456 0.000248665 0.0000126848
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.00780466 0.00755364 0.000238835 0.0000121833
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.00855149 0.00827645 0.000261689 0.0000133492
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.00967905 0.00936774 0.000296194 0.0000151093
PHEV (Diesel) – Electricity consumption: >=3000 cc km 0.0114478 0.0110796 0.00035032 0.0000178704
Electric vehicle: <1350 cc km 0.0168064 0.0162659 0.000514301 0.0000262353
Electric vehicle: 1350 – <1600 cc km 0.0180459 0.0174655 0.000552231 0.0000281702
Electric vehicle: 1600 – <2000 cc km 0.0204168 0.0197601 0.000624784 0.0000318713
Electric vehicle: 2000 – <3000 cc km 0.0251459 0.0243371 0.000769503 0.0000392536
Electric vehicle: >=3000 cc km 0.029394 0.0284486 0.000899502 0.0000458851
Table 8.6: Default light commercial vehicle values (based on pre-2010 fleet and a 2000–3000 cc engine size)
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Light Commercial Vehicle Default
Petrol km 0.324499 0.310822 0.0041516 0.00952532
Diesel km 0.304587 0.299876 0.000450198 0.00426081
Petrol Hybrid km 0.256183 0.245386 0.00327758 0.00751999
Diesel Hybrid km 0.273041 0.268818 0.000403571 0.00381951

8.2.2 Heavy goods vehicles emission factors

Table 8.7 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a 2010–2015 fleet.

Table 8.7: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a pre-2010 fleet
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Pre 2010 Fleet
HGV diesel: <5,000 kg km 0.442446 0.435603 0.000653962 0.00618928
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.506836 0.498997 0.000749134 0.00709002
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.619852 0.610265 0.000916179 0.00867098
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.735005 0.723637 0.00108638 0.0102818
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.835197 0.822279 0.00123447 0.0116834
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.975465 0.960378 0.0014418 0.0136456
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.29875 1.27866 0.00191963 0.0181679
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.53039 1.50672 0.00226201 0.0214083
HGV diesel: >=30,000 kg km 1.53039 1.50672 0.00226201 0.0214083
HGV diesel hybrid: <5,000 kg km 0.356682 0.351165 0.000527198 0.00498955
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.408514 0.402196 0.000603809 0.00571462
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.499622 0.491894 0.000738472 0.00698911
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.592333 0.583171 0.000875503 0.00828601
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.67302 0.662611 0.000994765 0.00941474
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.886762 0.873047 0.00131069 0.0124047
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.18039 1.16213 0.00174469 0.0165122
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.36314 1.34206 0.0020148 0.0190687
HGV diesel hybrid: >=30,000 kg km 1.43608 1.41387 0.00212261 0.020089

Table 8.8 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a 2010–2015 fleet.

Table 8.8: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
2010–2015 Fleet
HGV diesel: <5,000 kg km 0.420003 0.413507 0.00062079 0.00587533
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.481187 0.473744 0.000711223 0.00673122
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.588058 0.578962 0.000869185 0.00822621
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.694929 0.68418 0.00102715 0.00972121
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.792448 0.780192 0.00117129 0.0110854
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.950885 0.936178 0.00140547 0.0133017
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.26562 1.24604 0.00187066 0.0177045
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.41337 1.39151 0.00208905 0.0197713
HGV diesel: >=30,000 kg km 1.48898 1.46595 0.0022008 0.020829
HGV diesel hybrid: <5,000 kg km 0.33798 0.332752 0.000499554 0.00472792
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.387407 0.381415 0.000572612 0.00541936
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.473439 0.466116 0.000699771 0.00662283
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.56134 0.552658 0.000829694 0.00785247
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.63802 0.628152 0.000943032 0.00892512
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.864319 0.850951 0.00127752 0.0120908
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.15047 1.13267 0.00170046 0.0160936
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.32841 1.30786 0.00196347 0.0185828
HGV diesel hybrid: >=30,000 kg km 1.39948 1.37783 0.00206851 0.019577
HGV BEV: <5,000 kg km 0.0375537 0.0363459 0.0011492 0.0000586227
HGV BEV: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.0430286 0.0416447 0.00131674 0.000067169
HGV BEV: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.0526074 0.0509154 0.00160987 0.0000821219
HGV BEV: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.0623808 0.0603745 0.00190895 0.0000973786
HGV BEV: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.070885 0.0686052 0.00216919 0.000110654

Table 8.9 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a post-2015 fleet.

Table 8.9: Emission factors for heavy goods vehicles manufactured post-2015
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Post 2015 Fleet
HGV diesel: <5,000 kg km 0.4184 0.411929 0.000618421 0.00585291
HGV diesel: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.473706 0.466379 0.000700166 0.00662657
HGV diesel: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.579241 0.570282 0.000856153 0.00810288
HGV diesel: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.686913 0.676289 0.0010153 0.00960909
HGV diesel: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.780693 0.768618 0.00115391 0.0109209
HGV diesel: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.94848 0.93381 0.00140191 0.0132681
HGV diesel: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.26268 1.24315 0.00186632 0.0176634
HGV diesel: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.4099 1.38809 0.00208391 0.0197227
HGV diesel: >=30,000 kg km 1.48551 1.46253 0.00219567 0.0207804
HGV diesel hybrid: <5,000 kg km 0.329697 0.324598 0.000487312 0.00461206
HGV diesel hybrid: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.377789 0.371946 0.000558395 0.00528481
HGV diesel hybrid: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.46195 0.454805 0.00068279 0.00646212
HGV diesel hybrid: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.547714 0.539242 0.000809554 0.00766185
HGV diesel hybrid: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.622524 0.612895 0.000920128 0.00870835
HGV diesel hybrid: 15,000 – 20,000 kg km 0.862182 0.848847 0.00127436 0.0120609
HGV diesel hybrid: 20,000 – 25,000 kg km 1.14779 1.13004 0.00169651 0.0160563
HGV diesel hybrid: 25,000 – 30,000 kg km 1.3252 1.3047 0.00195873 0.0185379
HGV diesel hybrid: >=30,000 kg km 1.39627 1.37467 0.00206377 0.0195321
HGV BEV: <5,000 kg km 0.0367414 0.0355597 0.00112434 0.0000573546
HGV BEV: 5,000 – 7,500 kg km 0.0420893 0.0407356 0.001288 0.0000657028
HGV BEV: 7,500 – 10,000 kg km 0.051465 0.0498098 0.00157491 0.0000803387
HGV BEV: 10,000 – 12,000 kg km 0.0693365 0.0671065 0.0021218 0.000108237
HGV BEV: 12,000 – 15,000 kg km 0.0777984 0.0752962 0.00238075 0.000121446

Table 8.10 contains the default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles, based on a pre-2010 fleet and a gross vehicle mass of <7500 kg.

Table 8.10: Default emission factors for heavy goods vehicles
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Heavy Goods Vehicle Defaults
HGV Diesel km 0.474641 0.4673 0.000701548 0.00663965
HGV Diesel Hybrid km 0.382598 0.376681 0.000565503 0.00535208

Table 8.11 contains emission factors for freighting goods

The tkm emission factor should be used where there is a mixed consignment on the same truck.

Table 8.11: Emission factors for freighting goods by road
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Freighting Goods by Road
Long–haul heavy truck tkm 0.105 0.103376 0.000155196 0.00146882
Urban delivery heavy truck tkm 0.39 0.383968 0.000576444 0.00545563
All trucks tkm 0.135 0.132912 0.000199538 0.00188849

8.2.3 GHG inventory development

If an entity uses freight vehicles, they can calculate the emissions from the kilometres travelled. Multiply the distances by the emission factors in Table 8.2 to Table 8.10.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e within the reporting period
  • Q = km travelled by specific freight vehicle one way
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.2 to Table 8.10.

For emissions from freighting goods, users need to know the weight in tonnes of the goods freighted as well as the kilometres travelled. These two numbers multiplied together is the tkm. Multiply the tkm by the emission factors in Table 8.11. Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e within the reporting period
  • Q = tonnes of freight × kilometres travelled one way
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.11.

8.2.3.1 ROAD FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity moves 10 tonnes of goods by truck 100 km. They also hire a van (a light commercial vehicle) with a two-litre petrol engine, manufactured in 2012. This is used to drive 800 km. The weight of the goods moved by van is unknown.

For the 10 tonnes * 100 km moved by truck:

Example calculation of truck emissions for goods moved
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CO₂ emissions 1,000 x 0.132912 kg CO₂-e per tkm 133 kg CO₂-e
CH₄ emissions 1,000 x 0.000199538 kg CO₂-e per tkm 0.200 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 1,000 x 0.00188849 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.89 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 1,000 x 0.135 kg CO₂-e per tkm 135 kg CO₂-e

For the hired van, use the emission factors for the 2010–2015 fleet, petrol 1600−2000 cc. (Note: if the quantity of fuel used is known, users can more accurately calculate emissions using the litres of fuel used rather than distance). In this example the fuel usage is unknown, so the entity applies the emission factors for km travelled to calculate the total CO2-e emissions.

For the goods moved by van:

Example calculation of van emissions for goods moved
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CO₂ emissions 800 x 0.26032 kg CO₂-e per km 208 kg CO₂-e
CH₄ emissions 800 x 0.00347706 kg CO₂-e per km 2.78 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 800 x 0.00797768 kg CO₂-e per km 6.38 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 800 x 0.271775 kg CO₂-e per km 217 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Total CO2-e emissions from freighted goods = 135 kg CO₂-e + 217 kg CO₂-e = 352 kg CO₂-e

For vehicles that run on electricity, care should be taken not to double-count emissions from electricity use that is already captured from reporting of an entity’s on-site electricity consumption.

8.2.4 Emission factor derivation methodology

The 2024 fleet statistics were taken from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model. This provides energy (fuel and electricity) use per 100 km travelled by vehicle. The litres of fuel (or kWh of electricity) consumed per 100 km are provided in Table 8.12 and Table 8.13.

Table 8.12: Light commercial vehicles (energy consumption per 100 km)
Emission source Type Units Pre 2010 Fleet 2010-2015 Fleet 2015-2020 Fleet Post 2020 Fleet
Petrol <1350 cc Litres 8.966812 7.944049 7.522928 7.157506
Petrol 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 9.628114 8.529923 8.077744 7.685372
Petrol 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 12.990669 11.508942 10.898842 10.369437
Petrol 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 13.741639 12.174256 11.528887 10.968878
Petrol >=3000 cc Litres 15.691921 13.902087 13.165124 12.525636
Diesel <1350 cc Litres 8.2994 7.352763 6.962987 6.655973
Diesel 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.986627 7.075666 6.700578 6.405135
Diesel 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 10.631949 9.419259 8.919936 8.526636
Diesel 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 11.40018 10.099866 9.564463 9.142744
Diesel >=3000 cc Litres 11.543649 10.226971 9.68483 9.257804
Petrol hybrid <1350 cc Litres 7.079062 6.271618 5.939154 5.696209
Petrol hybrid 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.601143 6.73415 6.377166 6.116304
Petrol hybrid 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 10.255791 9.086007 8.604349 8.252383
Petrol hybrid 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 10.848662 9.611255 9.101753 8.72944
Petrol hybrid >=3000 cc Litres 12.388358 10.975331 10.393519 9.968366
Diesel hybrid <1350 cc Litres 7.439819 6.59548 6.264289 6.016229
Diesel hybrid 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 7.159441 6.346921 6.028212 5.7895
Diesel hybrid 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 9.530783 8.449141 8.024869 7.707092
Diesel hybrid 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 10.219447 9.05965 8.604721 8.263982
Diesel hybrid >=3000 cc Litres 10.348057 9.173663 8.71301 8.367983
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption <1350 cc Litres 3.704709 3.282147 3.108157 2.981016
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 3.977931 3.524205 3.337384 3.200866
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 5.367197 4.75501 4.502943 4.318747
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 5.677467 5.02989 4.763251 4.568407
PHEV (Petrol) - Petrol consumption >=3000 cc Litres 6.483241 5.743757 5.439275 5.216778
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption <1350 cc kWh 11.339051 10.086184 9.728393 9.467238
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 12.175306 10.83004 10.445862 10.165447
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 13.774926 12.252916 11.818264 11.501008
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 16.965612 15.091058 14.555728 14.164985
PHEV (Petrol) - Electricity consumption >=3000 cc kWh 19.831755 17.640518 17.014749 16.557996
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption <1350 cc Litres 3.893505 3.451634 3.278311 3.148493
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 1350 - <1600 cc Litres 3.746774 3.321555 3.154764 3.029838
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 1600 - <2000 cc Litres 4.987776 4.421717 4.199681 4.033378
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption 2000 - <3000 cc Litres 5.348177 4.741217 4.503137 4.324817
PHEV (Diesel) - Diesel consumption >=3000 cc Litres 5.415483 4.800884 4.559808 4.379244
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption <1350 cc kWh 11.501624 10.230794 9.867874 9.602975
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 11.046929 9.826338 9.477765 9.223339
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 12.104012 10.766623 10.384695 10.105922
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 13.699983 12.186253 11.753966 11.438436
PHEV (Diesel) - Electricity consumption >=3000 cc kWh 16.203504 14.413157 13.901873 13.528684
Electric vehicle <1350 cc kWh 23.788219 21.159826 20.409216 19.861339
Electric vehicle 1350 - <1600 cc kWh 25.5426 22.720363 21.914395 21.326113
Electric vehicle 1600 - <2000 cc kWh 28.898447 25.705419 24.793561 24.127988
Electric vehicle 2000 - <3000 cc kWh 35.592192 31.659563 30.536491 29.716753
Electric vehicle >=3000 cc kWh 41.605081 37.008079 35.695278 34.737054
Table 8.13: Heavy goods vehicles (energy consumption per 100 km)
Emission source Type Units Pre 2010 Fleet 2010-2015 Fleet Post 2015 Fleet
HGV diesel <5,000 kg Litres 16.56 15.72 15.66
HGV diesel 5,000 - 7,500 kg Litres 18.97 18.01 17.73
HGV diesel 7,500 - 10,000 kg Litres 23.2 22.01 21.68
HGV diesel 10,000 - 12,000 kg Litres 27.51 26.01 25.71
HGV diesel 12,000 - 15,000 kg Litres 31.26 29.66 29.22
HGV diesel 15,000 - 20,000 kg Litres 36.51 35.59 35.5
HGV diesel 20,000 - 25,000 kg Litres 48.61 47.37 47.26
HGV diesel 25,000 - 30,000 kg Litres 57.28 52.9 52.77
HGV diesel >=30,000 kg Litres 57.28 55.73 55.6
HGV diesel hybrid <5,000 kg Litres 13.35 12.65 12.34
HGV diesel hybrid 5,000 - 7,500 kg Litres 15.29 14.5 14.14
HGV diesel hybrid 7,500 - 10,000 kg Litres 18.7 17.72 17.29
HGV diesel hybrid 10,000 - 12,000 kg Litres 22.17 21.01 20.5
HGV diesel hybrid 12,000 - 15,000 kg Litres 25.19 23.88 23.3
HGV diesel hybrid 15,000 - 20,000 kg Litres 33.19 32.35 32.27
HGV diesel hybrid 20,000 - 25,000 kg Litres 44.18 43.06 42.96
HGV diesel hybrid 25,000 - 30,000 kg Litres 51.02 49.72 49.6
HGV diesel hybrid >=30,000 kg Litres 53.75 52.38 52.26
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) <5,000 kg kWh 46.81 44.38 43.42
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 5,000 - 7,500 kg kWh 53.63 50.85 49.74
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 7,500 - 10,000 kg kWh 65.57 62.17 60.82
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 10,000 - 12,000 kg kWh 77.75 73.72 81.94
HGV BEV (battery electric vehicle) 12,000 - 15,000 kg kWh 88.35 83.77 91.94

The equation used to calculate the emission factor for each GHG is:

\[ \begin{aligned} \frac{ \text{real-world fuel consumption} \times \text{emission conversion factor} }{ 100\,\text{km} } \end{aligned} \]

Dividing by 100 gives a factor for litres (or kWh) per fuel per km. Use this with the fuel emission factors to calculate emissions per km.

We multiplied the values for fuel consumption by the emission conversion factors provided in Table 3.3.

The default emission factors for freighting vehicles include the following assumptions based on Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s Annual Motor Vehicle Fleet Statistics (2024)1.

  • Light commercial vehicles are on average 17.5 years old. The most common engine size is 2000−3000 cc. Therefore, we used a pre-2010 fleet and a 2000-3000 cc engine size for the default values.

  • Heavy trucks are on average 19 years old. The most common gross vehicle mass is <7500 kg, therefore we selected a pre-2010 vehicle fleet with a gross vehicle mass of <7500 kg.

  • Using the Motor Vehicle Register2, 79 per cent of goods vans/trucks and utility vehicles are diesel. Therefore diesel vehicles are assumed for the all-trucks factor.

Emission factors for freighting goods (tkm) are from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport’s presentation ‘Real-world fuel economy of heavy trucks’.3

This source provides emission factors in terms of g CO2-e/tkm, not for each of the three GHGs (see Table 8.14). Therefore, we calculated emission factors for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide based on the GHG split ratio of the fuel used, which was diesel (see Table 3.3). This ratio is applied to produce the emission factors provided in Table 8.11.

Table 8.14: Data used to calculate the road freight (tkm) emission factor
Truck type Typical g CO₂-e / tkm
Long-haul heavy truck 105
Urban delivery heavy truck 390
All trucks 135

8.2.5 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

The Vehicle Fleet Emissions Model historical year results have been carefully calibrated to give a total road fuel use that matches MBIE’s road fuel sales figures. The major source of uncertainty for the freighting goods emission factor is that net tonne-kilometres must be inferred from truck (RUC) returns and the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) truck weigh-in-motion statistics.

The sources used to develop these emission factors will have inbuilt assumptions, limitations and uncertainties. To investigate these, see the documents referenced.

8.3 Rail freight

In New Zealand, KiwiRail owns the rail infrastructure and has provided the information to calculate the emission factor. The emission factor for freighting goods by rail is in Table 8.15.

Table 8.15: Emission factors for rail freight
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e) Uncertainties
Rail Freight
Rail Freight tkm 0.0272117 0.026788 0.0000449917 0.000378622

8.3.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight of goods freighted (tonnes), and the distance travelled (kilometres). For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e within the reporting period
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = emission factors in Table 8.15.

8.3.1.1 RAIL FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity freights 8 tonnes of materials 150 km by rail. This occurs four times in the reporting year.

To calculate tkm: 8 × 150 × 4 = 4,800 tkm

For the 8 tonnes moved 150 km by rail four times:

Example calculation of standard private vehicle consumption
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CO₂ emissions 4,800 x 0.026788 kg CO₂-e per tkm 129 kg CO₂-e
CH₄ emissions 4,800 x 0.0000449917 kg CO₂-e per tkm 0.216 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 4,800 x 0.000378622 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.82 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 4,800 x 0.0272117 kg CO₂-e per tkm 131 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.3.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

KiwiRail provided the following information used to calculate the emission factors.

Table 8.16: Information provided by KiwiRail
Calculation component Unit Amount
Freight-only fuel Litres 35,440,181.88
Freight volumes (net) NTKs (000s) 3,500,767.881
Electricity (net) North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) kWh 6,777,661

Note: NTK (net tonne km) is the sum of the tonnes carried multiplied by the distance travelled.

To calculate emissions from freight-only fuel, multiply the litres by the diesel emission factor in Table 3.3:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from fuel} &= \\ \text{freight-only fuel} &\times \text{diesel emission factor} \end{aligned} \]

To calculate emissions from electricity, multiply the net kWh by the emission factors in Table 5.2 or Table 5.3:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from electricity} &= \text{electricity NIMT} \\ &\times \text{purchased electricity emission factors} \end{aligned} \]

To calculate emissions from transmission and distribution losses from the purchased electricity, multiply the kWh by the emission factors in Table 5.4:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emissions from T\&D losses} &= \\ \text{electricity NIMT} &\times \begin{aligned} &\text{T\&D losses for purchased} \\ &\text{electricity emission factors} \end{aligned} \end{aligned} \]

Divide these total emissions by the freight volumes in tonnes to give emissions per tkm:

\[ \begin{aligned} \text{emission per tkm} &= \dfrac{ \begin{aligned} &\text{fuel emissions} \\ &+ \text{electricity emissions} \\ &+ \text{T\&D losses emissions} \end{aligned} }{ \text{freight volumes (net)} \times 1000 } \end{aligned} \]

8.3.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

The figure for net tkm includes the weight for third-party tare weight containers. KiwiRail does not own or control those containers and it is the responsibility of the customer to load and unload them. The alternative for these customers would be to transport freight by road. Therefore, these figures reflect the actual freight (including the weight of empty and loaded containers) that KiwiRail moved.

8.4 Air freight

In the absence of New Zealand data, we have adopted the air freight emission factors from the latest UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2025. These emission factors are Scope 3. Refer to Section 7.5 for further guidance on radiative forcing to inform your choice of emission factor. While the radiative forcing multiplier of 1.7 used in this guidance is based on current scientific evidence and research, this figure is subject to significant uncertainty.

Emissions from aviation have both direct (CO2, CH4 and N2O) and indirect (non-CO2 emissions eg, water vapour, contrails, NOx) climate change effects. Two sets of emission factors for air freight are presented here; one that includes the indirect effects of non-CO2 emissions and one that represents direct effects only.

The short-haul emission factor applies to international flights of less than 3,700 km. The long-haul factor applies to flights of more than 3,700 km.

Entities should include the indirect effects of non-CO2 emissions when reporting air freight emissions to capture the full climate impact of their travel. However, it should be noted that there is significant scientific uncertainty around the magnitude of the indirect effect of non-CO2 aviation emissions and it is an active area of research. Further information can be found in paragraphs 8.5 to 8.7 in the 2025 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors.

Table 8.17: Air freight emissions without radiative forcing multiplier
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Without radiative forcing multiplier
Freight flights: Domestic tkm 2.71931 2.69237 0.00393 0.02301
Freight flights: Short haul tkm 0.75539 0.74709 0.00008 0.00822
Freight flights: Long haul tkm 0.5313 0.52583 0.00006 0.00542
Table 8.18: Air freight emissions with radiative forcing multiplier
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
With radiative forcing multiplier
Freight flights: Domestic tkm 4.60397 4.57703 0.00393 0.02301
Freight flights: Short haul tkm 1.27835 1.27005 0.00008 0.00822
Freight flights: Long haul tkm 0.89939 0.89392 0.00006 0.00542

8.4.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight in tonnes of goods freighted by air and the distance travelled. For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e within the reporting period
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = appropriate emission factors in Table 8.17 or Table 8.18.

8.4.1.1 AIR FREIGHT: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

During the reporting period, an entity air freights 0.5 tonnes of materials 10,000 km. This occurs six times in the reporting year. The entity decides to use emission factors with the radiative forcing multiplier applied.

To calculate tkm: 0.5 tonnes × 10,000 km × 6 times = 30,000 tkm

Example calculation of standard private vehicle consumption
Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
CO₂ emissions 30,000 x 0.89392 kg CO₂-e per tkm 26,800 kg CO₂-e
CH₄ emissions 30,000 x 0.00006 kg CO₂-e per tkm 1.80 kg CO₂-e
N₂O emissions 30,000 x 0.00542 kg CO₂-e per tkm 163 kg CO₂-e
Total CO₂-e emissions 30,000 x 0.89939 kg CO₂-e per tkm 27,000 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.4.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

The 2025 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors contains full details on the derivation of these emission factors.

8.4.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

As we adopted these emission factors from the UK DESNZ emissions for air freight to and from the UK, we assume the same factors apply to New Zealand. We have not considered the difference in the size of aircraft transporting domestic air freight – this limits the accuracy of these emission factors to better reflect New Zealand domestic air freight. The 2025 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors goes into more detail behind the GHG conversion factors.

We included the emission factors with radiative forcing to account for additional radiative forcing from emissions arising from aircraft transport at altitude (jet aircraft).

8.5 Coastal and international shipping freight

We calculated the domestic coastal shipping emission factor, Table 8.19 based on the findings from the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport presentation ‘Real-world fuel economy of heavy trucks’,4 prepared for the 2019 Transport Knowledge Conference. We adopted the international shipping emission factors from the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2025.

Table 8.19: Coastal shipping emission factors
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
Domestic Coastal Freight
Oil products tkm 0.016 0.0158533 0.0000396027 0.000107089
Other bulk tkm 0.03 0.029725 0.0000742551 0.000200792
Container freight tkm 0.046 0.0455783 0.000113858 0.000307881

Note: These numbers are rounded to three decimal places unless the number is significantly small.

Table 8.20: International shipping emission factors
Emissions Source Unit kg CO₂–e/unit CO₂/unit (kg CO₂–e) CH₄/unit (kg CO₂–e) N₂O/unit (kg CO₂–e)
International Sea Freight
Bulk carrier: 200,000+ dwt tkm 0.00253 0.0025 0.00000112 0.00003
Bulk carrier: 100,000–199,999 dwt tkm 0.00304 0.003 0.00000112 0.00004
Bulk carrier: 60,000–99,999 dwt tkm 0.00415 0.0041 0.00000112 0.00005
Bulk carrier: 35,000–59,999 dwt tkm 0.00577 0.0057 0.00000224 0.00007
Bulk carrier: 10,000–34,999 dwt tkm 0.008 0.0079 0.00000224 0.0001
Bulk carrier: 0–9999 dwt tkm 0.02956 0.0292 0.00001 0.00035
Bulk carrier: Average tkm 0.00353 0.00349 0.00000112 0.00004
General cargo: 10,000+ dwt tkm 0.01205 0.0119 0.00000448 0.00014
General cargo: 5000–9999 dwt tkm 0.016 0.0158 0.00001 0.00019
General cargo: 0–4999 dwt tkm 0.01407 0.0139 0.00000448 0.00017
General cargo: 10,000+ dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.01114 0.011 0.00000336 0.00013
General cargo: 5000–9999 dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.01772 0.0175 0.00001 0.00021
General cargo: 0–4999 dwt 100+ TEU tkm 0.02005 0.0198 0.00001 0.00024
General cargo: Average tkm 0.01321 0.01305 0.00000448 0.00016
Container ship: 8000+ TEU tkm 0.01266 0.0125 0.00000448 0.00015
Container ship: 5000–7999 TEU tkm 0.01681 0.0166 0.00001 0.0002
Container ship: 3000–4999 TEU tkm 0.01681 0.0166 0.00001 0.0002
Container ship: 2000–2999 TEU tkm 0.02025 0.02 0.00001 0.00024
Container ship: 1000–1999 TEU tkm 0.0325 0.0321 0.00001 0.00039
Container ship: 0–999 TEU tkm 0.03675 0.0363 0.00001 0.00044
Container ship: Average tkm 0.01612 0.01592 0.00001 0.00019
Vehicle transport: 4000+ CEU tkm 0.0324 0.032 0.00001 0.00039
Vehicle transport: 0–3999 CEU tkm 0.05832 0.0576 0.00002 0.0007
Vehicle transport: Average tkm 0.03852 0.03805 0.00001 0.00046
RoRo–Ferry: 2000+ LM tkm 0.05012 0.0495 0.00002 0.0006
RoRo–Ferry: 0–1999 LM tkm 0.06105 0.0603 0.00002 0.00073
RoRo–Ferry: Average tkm 0.05158 0.05095 0.00002 0.00062
RoRo–Ferry: Large RoPax ferry tkm 0.37612 0.3715 0.00012 0.0045
Refrigerated cargo: All dwt tkm 0.01306 0.0129 0.00000448 0.00016

Note: CEU = car equivalent unit; dwt = deadweight tonnes; LM = lanemetre; TEU = twenty-foot equivalent unit.

8.5.1 GHG inventory development

Users should collect data on the weight in tonnes of goods freighted, and the distance travelled. For each journey, multiply the total tonnes by the total km travelled.

Applying the equation E = Q x F, this means:

  • E = emissions from the emissions source in kg CO2-e within the reporting period
  • Q = tonnes of freight × km travelled
  • F = appropriate emission factors from Table 8.19 or Table 8.20

8.5.1.1 MULTIPLE FREIGHT MODES: EXAMPLE CALCULATION

An entity sends 300 kg of its product to a customer. It travels by road freight (All trucks) 50 km to the port, then 500 km by coastal shipping (container freight) to another domestic port. It is then loaded onto rail to its destination 250 km from the port.

Road freight emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 50 km = 15 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 15.0 x 0.135 kg CO₂-e per tkm 2.03 kg CO₂-e

Coastal shipping emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 500 km = 150 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 150.0 x 0.046 kg CO₂-e per tkm 6.90 kg CO₂-e

Rail freight emissions:
0.3 tonnes × 250 km = 75 tkm

Gas Calculation Emissions (kg CO₂-e)
Total CO₂-e emissions 75.0 x 0.0272117 kg CO₂-e per tkm 2.04 kg CO₂-e

Total freight emissions:

2.03 kg CO₂-e + 6.90 kg CO₂-e + 2.04 kg CO₂-e = 11.0 kg CO₂-e

Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

8.5.2 Emission factor derivation methodology

We based the emission factors for coastal shipping on figures included in the Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport presentation ‘Real world fuel economy of heavy trucks’,5 prepared for the 2019 Transport Knowledge Conference.

This source provides emission factors in terms of g CO2-e/tkm, not for each of the three GHGs (see Table 66). Therefore, we calculated emission factors for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide based on the GHG split ratio of the fuel used, which was heavy fuel oil. This ratio is applied to produce the emission factors provided in Table 8.19.

Table 8.21: Coastal shipping data
Mode Typical g CO2e/tkm
Coastal shipping (oil products) 16
Coastal shipping (other bulk) 30
Coastal shipping (container freight) 46

For international shipping, we used the Freight Information Gathering System (FIGS)6 to identify which types of ships visit New Zealand, and their average sizes. We then adopted the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2025 for the relevant ships and adapted the average emission factors to reflect ship sizes visiting New Zealand.

We identified the following shipping types as visiting New Zealand:

  • container ships
  • reefer (refrigerated cargo ship)
  • bulk carrier
  • RoRo (roll-on, roll-off)
  • oil/gas tanker
  • vehicle carrier
  • general cargo.

We used MoT’s FIGS7 to find out the average sizes of ships visiting New Zealand. Ships are measured in deadweight tonnes (dwt), twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), car equivalent unit (CEU) or lanemetre (LM).

  • Bulk carrier is 36,900 dwt and therefore in the 35,000–59,999 dwt category.
  • General cargo is 15,800 dwt and therefore in the 10,000+ dwt category.
  • Container ship is 3,194 TEU and therefore in the 3,000–4,999 TEU category.
  • Vehicle carrier (transport) is unknown and therefore the same as the UK average.
  • RoRo ferry is unknown and therefore the same as the UK average.
  • As there is only one emission factor for all refrigerated cargo an average was not necessary.

Emission factors for these have been adopted from the UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2025. Refer to UK Greenhouse gas reporting: Conversion factors 2025: methodology for details on the methodology.

8.5.3 Assumptions, limitations and uncertainties

We assumed the New Zealand coastal shipping fleet is similar to that in the STREAM Freight Handbook. These figures have a high degree of uncertainty as they are based on international data for coastal shipping.

We carried over the assumptions for the international shipping emission factors from the 2025 UK DESNZ Methodology Paper for Conversion Factors.

  1. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: https://www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/fleet-statistics/sheet/annual-fleet-statistics.↩︎

  2. Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency: https://opendata-nzta.opendata.arcgis.com/search?q=mvr.↩︎

  3. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  4. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  5. Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport: www.knowledgehub.transport.govt.nz/assets/TKH-Uploads/TKC-2019/Real-world-fuel-economy-of-heavy-trucks.pdf.↩︎

  6. Freight Information Gathering System: www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/freight-and-logistics/↩︎

  7. Freight Information Gathering System, overseas ships: www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/freight-and-logistics/.↩︎