Two years ago, a bold vision took shape, a vision to transform India’s supply chains into a model of sustainability, efficiency and innovation. Today, the TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab stands as a beacon of change, driving forward-thinking solutions that make the logistics sector greener and smarter than ever.

From pioneering India’s first ISO 14083-certified emissions measurement tool to driving the adoption of global ESG standards within the Indian context, this lab has transformed the landscape of green logistics. By aligning international frameworks with India-specific freight emission factors, it ensures accurate and relevant implementation across the country. Through its engagement with corporates, MSMEs and policymakers and its commitment to educating the next generation of sustainability leaders, the lab is redefining what’s possible in sustainable freight and logistics.

Leading Emissions Measurement Innovation

What gets measured, gets improved. The lab’s Transportation Emission Measurement Tool (TEMT) has become a game-changer for logistics de-carbonization, earning ISO 14083 certification and embedding carbon tracking directly into India's Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

With its precise emission calculations for road, rail, air, and sea freight, TEMT empowers businesses to quantify their carbon footprint, optimize freight routes and build sustainable supply chains. Its journey from inception to becoming a government-recognized standard is a testament to innovation at its best. What truly sets TEMT apart is its customization for Indian conditions—accounting for region-specific vehicle types, fuel quality, load patterns and logistics practices that differ significantly from European and global norms. This approach ensures that emission estimates are both accurate and actionable in the Indian context.

Driving Policy Advancements

Change begins with bold ideas, and the lab is shaping India’s zero-emission freight future through powerful policy engagements.

• The NITI Gear Shift Hackathon Challenge ignited fresh solutions for zero-emission truck adoption. The lab played a central role in designing the problem statements, mentoring finalists and translating winning ideas into viable business models bridging the gap between innovation and real-world implementation in sustainable freight.
• Similarly, Bharat ZET Policy Advisory Workshop, hosted at IIM Bangalore, gathered OEMs, regulatory bodies and logistics leaders to co-create India’s highway EV charging roadmap. The Lab curated the agenda, facilitated stakeholder dialogues and synthesized key recommendations to inform policy direction laying the foundation for EV-friendly, efficient and future-ready highways.

Supporting Corporates & MSMEs

Sustainability isn’t just for large enterprises; it’s for every business that moves goods across the country.

The lab worked closely with Corporates and MSMEs, crafting essential white papers on Internal Carbon Pricing and Green Financing Options giving businesses actionable tools to reduce costs and transition to low-carbon operations. The lab has championed ESG integration for both corporates and MSMEs, ensuring that sustainability is accessible, actionable, and profitable for everyone.

Consultancy That Shapes Infrastructure

What happens when highways are built with sustainability in mind?

The lab’s research is answering that question. A study assessing fuel consumption reduction and emissions savings from highway expansions is now guiding India’s infrastructure decisions ensuring every new road is designed for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and lower carbon emissions.

Setting Standards for Global Sustainability

The lab has stepped onto the global stage, representing India at the ISO/TC 344 Technical Committee and actively shaping international ESG and Green Logistics standards.

At home, its work within the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Transport Services Sectional Committee has ensured that logistics services align with sustainable best practices bringing Indian freight closer to global sustainability benchmarks.

Expanding a Powerful Network of Collaborations

Big ideas thrive with collaboration and the lab has built an unparalleled network of experts, policymakers and industry pioneers:

• Smart Freight Lab - Driving logistics decarbonization
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency - Setting sustainability benchmarks
• TIFAC & IIT Madras CoEZET - Innovating EV trucking solutions
• EMPRI & CEE - Researching environmental management strategies

These alliances power joint research, training programs, consulting assignments and policy advocacy that push the boundaries of green logistics innovation.

Educating & Inspiring the Next Generation

Change begins with knowledge. The lab has launched India’s first MOOC program on ESG and sustainability through IIM Bangalore, a 12-week immersive experience accessible in both English and Hindi.

Beyond MOOCs, expert sessions at CII Conferences, Corporate leadership forums and academic institutions have ensured that sustainability becomes a mainstream business priority across industries.

Looking Ahead: A Future Filled with Possibilities

Two years in, the TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab has redefined the sustainability landscape in logistics.

• Scaling emissions measurement innovation for industry-wide adoption
• Advocating policy frameworks for zero-emission trucking & EV infrastructure
• Strengthening collaborations to push the boundaries of green logistics
• Expanding education & knowledge-sharing for a sustainability-driven workforce

The journey has just begun. As the Lab enters its third year, expect bolder innovations, deeper collaborations, and an unstoppable pursuit of sustainable logistics excellence! We wish the Lab continued success in all its upcoming endeavors as it shapes the future of green freight in India and beyond.

FAQs:

1) Where is the Sustainability Lab housed?

The TCI-IIMB Supply Chain Sustainability Lab is a joint initiative between Transport Corporation of India (TCI) and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). It is housed within in the IIMB premises under the aegis of Supply Chain Management Center (SCMC).

2) What is the Lab most known for?

The Lab adopts a multidimensional approach with its activities spanning across the 5Cs of Content Creation, Coaching, Consultancy, Certification & Corporate Partnership. One of the most prominent achievements of the lab is its Tool building initiative that has created Transport Emission Measurement Tool (TEMT) which is India's 1st ISO certified and globally acclaimed portal. The Lab has also created an advanced Carbon Accounting Tool for measuring Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions for businesses.

3) What is the primary function of TEMT and how does it work?

TEMT is an online tool to designed to measure and calculate carbon emissions from freight transport across road, rail, air, and sea modes. It uses India-specific emission factors, to measure "Well-to-Wheel" emissions in line with the G-LEC Framework by considering regional vehicle types, fuel quality, and logistics practices. This ensures accurate and actionable emission estimates for businesses operating within the Indian supply chain ecosystem. This is especially significant for Indian businesses trying to meet with the global emission standard reporting & compliance norms. It gains further salience for Indian exporters dealing with rapidly changing trade & sustainability norms as India signs new FTAs with multiple countries & economic regions. For more details, click here.

4) How can we access TEMT and what does it cost?

TEMT is an online portal-based tool, housed in secured cloud infrastructure and accessible from any device online. It supports nearly 100% uptime and login based secured access to ensure data security & privacy standards. Further, its emission factor APIs are also integrated into India’s Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), enabling transparent reporting & visibility. The tool is presently available absolutely free of cost. For access or demo requests, stakeholders should contact the Lab directly via the Lab website.

5) In which languages do the TEMT tool support?

While the main communication and documentation are primarily in English, the Lab’s broader educational initiatives (like MOOCs) are available in both English and Hindi, suggesting a commitment to multilingual accessibility. The TEMT interface language availability can be confirmed by reaching out to the Lab for specifics.