Using data and technology to reduce supply chain emissions

By: Jenny Vander Zanden, COO at Breakthrough

Sustainability is emerging as a top priority and more companies are setting science-based target initiatives (SBTi) to act in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement. A SBTi is a clearly defined goal that limits global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Yet, a SBTi without a plan of action and support to rally around emissions reduction initiatives faces an arduous journey. Breakthrough, a Green Bay-based strategic transportation management company, launched CleanMile in April 2022, to guide many of the world’s largest shippers’ efforts to reduce transportation carbon emissions.

CleanMile is the first end-to-end transportation emissions management solution that enables shippers to track, plan and execute scope 1 & 3 transportation emissions reduction initiatives. With scope 3 emissions typically comprising 80 to 90% of a shipper’s entire carbon footprint – and often the most difficult to track and manage – the transportation emissions management tool combines smart technology, robust data, and expert support to enable shippers to make real progress toward their climate targets.

Through Breakthrough’s online FELIX platform, CleanMile receives and processes shippers’ transportation data in real-time, calculating the lifecycle emissions of its transportation network. Through this data analysis, Breakthrough provides emissions reduction recommendations specific to each shipper’s network for things like alternative energy applications, alternative mode choice, and optimized load fill. Breakthrough’s prescient Applied Knowledge team provides this expertise to educate and advance shippers’ networks by being ahead of the curve in the energy, freight, and sustainability markets.

Internally, Breakthrough has taken the pledge to be carbon neutral. In 2019, Breakthrough made the strategic decision to embark on a digital transformation. On April 1, 2022, we culminated the final shutdown of all on-premises data centers by transitioning our computing needs to the Google Cloud. As a result, our scope 1 technology emissions are zero. We have also decided to invest in regional projects to support and offset our energy usage.

The future is clear for Green Bay:

Sustainability is and will continue to be a focus. With an investment in innovative ideas, initiatives, and programs to reduce emissions in our local community and globally, we can make real progress.