From January 2025, Australia will introduce mandatory climate reporting laws – a major shift aligning business operations with national climate goals and international frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. It’s part of a growing global push for accountability as governments and industries set clearer expectations on how companies disclose their greenhouse gas emissions.
For the transport and logistics sector, the impact is especially significant. With transport emissions making up a large portion of Australia’s carbon footprint, freight businesses will soon be required to track, measure and report their emissions across the supply chain – from fuel use to distance travelled.
This article breaks down the new transport carbon reporting requirements – what’s changing, why it matters for freight, and how Truckit.net is supporting the industry’s shift toward net zero emissions. Whether you're managing a fleet or booking regular shipments, now is the time to get ahead of compliance and lead with sustainability.
In early 2024, the Australian Government passed landmark legislation introducing mandatory climate reporting for many companies, set to begin on 1 January 2025. This move brings Australia in line with global ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting standards and signals a new era of climate accountability in business.
According to ASIC, the rollout will begin with large companies, particularly those already reporting under existing financial frameworks. Over time, the scope may broaden to include mid-sized businesses – especially those in emissions-intensive sectors like transport and logistics, where tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a growing priority.
This new reporting requirement won’t be a one-off task. Businesses will need to manage emissions data continuously and report on Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect from energy use), and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions. That includes detailed metrics on fuel consumption, kilometres travelled, vehicle load data, and more.
The aim is transparency: giving investors, regulators, and customers access to reliable, comparable carbon data that supports smarter decisions and sustainable growth. While the government has flagged an initial “grace period,” penalties for non-compliance are expected to follow.
For freight and logistics providers, this is the moment to build strong emissions reporting foundations. From adopting low-carbon liquid fuels to using digital platforms that help manage emissions data in real-time, the shift is about compliance and staying competitive in a carbon-conscious world.
Australia’s new reporting framework also reflects global shifts led by the International Sustainability Standards Board, which is shaping how emissions data is reported across industries worldwide. By aligning with these evolving standards, Australian businesses are better positioned to compete and collaborate on the global stage.
To support the transition, the government has developed Sectoral Emissions Reduction Plans targeting high-impact industries, including transport and logistics. These plans work hand-in-hand with national emissions reduction targets, providing guidance and accountability as businesses move toward net zero goals.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is also playing a vital role, funding innovative technologies and partnerships that support emissions reduction across the freight sector – from route optimisation software to trials of low-carbon liquid fuels.
Transport and logistics are front and centre in the carbon conversation – and for good reason. The sector accounts for a significant portion of global CO₂ emissions, with key contributing factors like fuel type, vehicle age, load weight, driver behaviour, and even the terrain (think steep inclines vs flat roads) all playing a role.
That means freight providers – from national trucking fleets to smaller logistics operations – are likely to face direct pressure under the new reporting rules.
While the government is offering a transition period with no immediate penalties, this won’t last forever. Businesses that delay risk falling behind when compliance becomes mandatory – and could even lose contracts to competitors who are already ahead of the curve.
More than regulation, though, this is about reputation. Customers, partners and procurement teams increasingly expect eco-conscious operations. It seems that being carbon-transparent is good for compliance and good for business.
To comply with the new requirements, businesses need to get familiar with the three key categories of emissions: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3. Each plays a part in painting the full carbon picture – especially for logistics.
Reporting on these scopes means tracking detailed data like fuel consumption, kilometres travelled, idle time, and load efficiency. According to the latest ASIC guidelines (RG 280), accuracy and transparency are key.
That’s where verification comes in. To ensure credibility, emissions reports may need to be validated by certified auditors or third-party tools – especially for large companies seeking contracts with ESG requirements.
Australia isn’t moving in isolation. Around the world, major freight and logistics players are already embracing sustainability – and reaping the benefits. Companies like Convoy and Uber Freight are leading the way with green logistics strategies, investing in low-emission vehicles and using data to cut waste from their networks.
Australia’s new carbon reporting requirements are part of this wider shift. They’re designed to bring us in step with international markets where carbon transparency is quickly becoming the norm – not the exception.
At the same time, technology is evolving fast. AI-powered platforms are emerging to help track emissions in real time, optimise routes, and reduce empty kilometres. These tools are helping large operators become more accessible to small and medium freight providers too.
The sooner businesses adapt, the better positioned they’ll be for what’s next.
At Truckit.net, we’re not just watching the carbon reporting changes unfold – we’re actively building tools to help our users stay ahead.
Our platform already helps reduce unnecessary emissions by cutting down on empty kilometres. With smart freight matching and AI-powered pricing, Truckit ensures freight jobs are paired with carriers that make the most sense geographically and logistically – which means fewer half-full trucks on the road, and a lower overall carbon footprint.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re currently working on integrated carbon reporting features that will give both customers and providers visibility over their freight emissions. From tracking fuel usage to calculating estimated CO₂ output, this functionality will soon be part of our standard booking process. Users will be able to access relevant data that supports their own reporting obligations – whether for internal ESG goals or formal regulatory compliance.
We’re also exploring partnerships with industry sustainability experts to help refine these tools further. Through our ongoing collaboration with National Transport Insurance and potential future eco-partners, we’re ensuring that our platform not only meets today’s transport needs – but is ready for tomorrow’s sustainability expectations.
“With carbon accounting at the forefront of many business freight tenders, Truckit.net has been swift to respond to carbon tracking requirements and is well positioned to use our data and technology to help corporates make greener, more sustainable decisions about their road freight logistics,"
explains Duncan Madden, General Manager of Truckit.net
If you're in the transport industry, the time to act is now. Here are a few practical steps to help you get ready for the 2025 carbon reporting requirements:
Short-term actions
Long-term planning
Early preparation = fewer surprises later.
The road ahead is greener – and smarter. Emerging technologies like zero-emission trucks, biofuels, and full electrification of fleets are quickly gaining traction. While these solutions may take time to roll out at scale, they signal where the industry is headed.
Equally promising is the use of AI for route optimisation, helping businesses reduce fuel use, idle time, and emissions through smarter planning and load consolidation.
And as sustainability regulations tighten in the years ahead, businesses that prioritise transparency now will have a serious edge. Because in the future of freight, being efficient isn’t enough – you also have to be accountable.
The new transport carbon reporting requirements mark a major shift – but also an opportunity. For freight businesses, early preparation means smoother compliance, stronger partnerships, and a more sustainable future.
Truckit.net is building the tools to help you get there. Explore Truckit.net today to start streamlining your freight – and prepare for carbon reporting with smarter, data-driven logistics.
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Key Takeaways From January 2025, Australia will introduce mandatory climate reporting laws – a major shift aligning business operations with national climate goals and international frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. It’s part of a growing global push for accountability as governments and industries set clearer expectations on how companies disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. For the transport and logistics sector, the impact is especially significant. With transport emissions making up a large portion of Australia’s carbon footprint, freight businesses will soon be required to track, measure and report their emissions across the supply chain – from fuel use […]
