Open Call

CLEVER project is calling on organizations to demonstrate how CLEVER emission factors and methodology can be applied to real-world scenarios to achieve accurate measurements and quantify emission reductions.

The Open Call is open to all organizations interested in learning more about emission factors in transport and logistics operations.

Is your organization working on real-world challenges in transport and logistics?

CLEVER is looking for you!

What is this Open Call about?

The Open Call aims to select applicants from diverse backgrounds who want to apply the CLEVER emission factors and methodology to their transport and logistics operations related activities. By incorporating feedback from real-world applications, CLEVER goal is to develop a standardized, easy-to-follow framework that can be adopted by various a wide range of operators. The final methodology will be integrated into the CountEmissionsEU regulation.

Applicants can choose from several proposed scenarios and may submit more than one real-world use case, depending on their interests and needs.
However, each organization will be selected for a maximum of one application.

Examples of use cases are available in the FAQs section.

Which are the scenarios?

Scenario	Description
A – Emission Calculation	Understand how CLEVER emission factors can be applied in an operational context or how CLEVER methodology can be used to calculate customized emission factors
B – Accounting and Reporting	Leverage CLEVER framework to comply with regulatory or voluntary reporting frameworks
C – Conformity Assessment	Apply CLEVER framework in the context of conformity assessment – e.g. alignment with certification schemes
D – Climate Mitigation Actions	Understand how CLEVER emission factors can be applied in an operational context or how CLEVER methodology can be used to calculate customized emission factors
E – Open Scenario	This scenario can be chosen by applicants that think their proposals do not fit into the previous scenarios but consider them relevant for the CLEVER project

Disclaimer: the CLEVER framework is intended to facilitate the calculation of climate impacts from transport and logistics activities by providing a calculation framework and a selection of average GHG emission factors for different energy carriers following an attributional approach. It is closely linked to CountEmissionsEU as well as ISO 14083. Here, the actual GHG emissions from transportation are calculated and disclosed. Neither of these accounting frameworks include carbon offsetting or any market-based values (such as values derived from a book and claim approach, with the exception of the possibility for dual accounting of renewable electricity in ISO 14083). However, the methodology (as well as the factors) from CLEVER can also be used in calculations linked to chain of custody systems such as “book and claim” (e.g. to assess the possible impacts from these schemes). As average values are not always suitable to assess the impacts from large scale changes, care needs to be taken whenever these values are used in the assessment of impacts from large-scale decisions or changes.

Eligibility criteria

The following eligibility criteria for participation are established:

Legal entities only: Participation is open exclusively to legal entities established in an eligible country. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Authorized representative: The person submitting the proposal must be duly authorized to represent and commit the applying legal entity under the relevant law.

- If multiple submissions are received from different individuals representing the same legal entity, only the proposal submitted by the authorized representative will be considered eligible.
- If two or more organizations wish to propose a joint use case, a single designated representative must submit the application, ensuring that all relevant details for each participating organization are included.

The person submitting the proposal must be subscribed to both the CLEVER newsletter and the CLEVER repository.
The participant must have completed all steps of the application process before the deadline.
The participant should grant permission to share the use case outputs for training and capacity-building purposes.
The participant should be eligible to attend and, if selected, pitch at future CLEVER events, either in person or online.

Missing one or more of these criteria will exclude the applicant from the Open Call.

Application steps

So, let’s keep it simple — to apply for the Open Call, there are a few steps you need to follow

Apply. Fill out and submit the application form
Provide details. Once you have completed the application form, we will send you a template with more specific questions to help us understand your proposal better. Prepare one document for each use case you would like to propose.
Finalize & submit. Return the completed use case proposal(s) in PDF format to noemi.fracchiolla@greenrouter.com.

Timeline

Open Call launch: October 2025
Open Call deadline: 30 January 2026
End of the evaluation process: February 2026
Expected use cases coaching start: March 2026

Which are the benefits?

By participating in this study, you and your organization will benefit from:

Advanced coaching
Collaborate with experts to deepen your understanding of CLEVER framework and its application to real-world transport operations. Through tailored coaching, you will gain valuable insights into emission factors and methodologies, enabling you to enhance your existing sustainability reports and ensure alignment with relevant regulations.

Visibility & Recognition
Increase your exposure through CLEVER communication channels and showcase your active involvement in advanced EU initiatives focused on sustainable logistics.

Capacity-Building & Learning
Gain relevant knowledge from sector experts and enhance your expertise in emission factors for existing and new fuels in the transport sector through access to specialized training sessions.

Policy & Compliance Relevance
Better understand implication of CLEVER in CountEmissionsEU regulation, which strives for a universal methodology for the calculation of GHG emissions from transport services.

Support for Company Climate Goals
Better understand the impacts of harmonised CLEVER emission factors and methodology in the assessment of climate topics related to transportation and thrive to improve your organization’s strategic planning and sustainability targets.

Effort

If you are selected, congratulations! During the next year, we will work together to apply the CLEVER framework into real-world applications and provide valuable feedback to refine the methodology and ensure it is applicable in practical supply chain contexts.

The expected effort from your side will be a maximum of 5-6 days throughout the year. Your involvement will include participating in introductory calls, assisting with data collection and reviewing shared documents. Once the use case is completed, you will be asked to provide feedback on the overall experience.

Evaluation process

A jury is assembled, and the Open Call scoring matrix is developed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. More details are available here.

CLEVER Privacy Policy

CLEVER is committed to protecting the personal data it processes, in accordance with its Personal Data Protection Rules. Under these rules, you have rights, including request access, rectification and erasure of your personal data. To exercise these rights please contact clever@emissionfactors.eu.

Frequently asked questions

Don’t you know which scenarios your application would best fit?

If you are not sure which scenario best fits your idea, no worries. In the application form, you will be asked to indicate a scenario for each proposed use case. However, this selection is only indicative – it will simply help guide the evaluation, and we will ensure each proposal is considered in the most appropriate context.

Concerned about the information we may request?

No need to worry! Along with the template, you’ll also receive a detailed guide to help you compile and provide the relevant information for the evaluation process. And if any further questions come to mind, do not hesitate to contact us at noemi.fracchiolla@greenrouter.com.

Could you provide some examples of use cases?

Examples for Scenario A – Emission Calculation

Calculation of customized emission factors
Description: an example of how to calculate the emission factor of a fuel applying CLEVER methodology
Target applicants: energy/fuel producers and providers, transport/logistics service provider or operator, both from freight and passenger sector

Single calculation of transportation emissions
Description: an example of how a fuel specific CLEVER emission factor can be used to estimate GHG emissions associated with freight or passenger transport activities
Target applicants: transport/logistics service provider or operator, transport planners, tourism company, both from freight and passenger sector

Examples for Scenario B – Accounting and Reporting

Reporting emissions on freight and public transport activities
Description: an example of how an emission factor based on CLEVER methodology can be used for reporting emissions on freight, public and passenger transport activities in alignment with recognized international standards – e.g., CountEmissionsEU, GHG Protocol, SBTi, ISO 14083
Target applicants: shippers, transport/logistics service provider or operator, transport planners, both from freight and passenger sector

Use of CLEVER emission factors to avoid potential double counting
Description: an emission factor of a renewable fuel – i.e., biofuel, RFNBO (renewable fuels from non-biological origins) or RCF (recycled carbon fuels) – produced by a fuel producer is certified following a regulated market – e.g., RED, RTFO. The fuel consumer could use CLEVER emission factors and methodology during the reporting of emissions in any market
Target applicants: energy/fuel producers and consumers who receive certified fuel

Examples for Scenario C – Conformity Assessment

Conformity assessment
Description: an example of how an auditor could evaluate the emissions on transport activity data calculated with CLEVER emission factor. The conformity assessment should occur according to international protocols – i.e., GHG Protocol-, standards – i.e., ISO 14083, ISO 14064 – or other regulations – e.g., CSRD, CountEmissionsEU. Emphasis could be on how emission factors are relevant in verification engagements, for example how they are described and justified in monitoring plans
Target applicants: auditors, verifiers and assurance sector professionals in general, shippers, transport/logistics service provider or operator

Examples for Scenario D – Climate Mitigation Actions

Fuel mix and energy optimization
Description: an example of applying CLEVER emission factors on a specific transport operation category – e.g., specific route or type of vehicle – comparing emissions of different fuel types covered in the framework
Target applicants: transport/logistics service provider or operator, shippers, legislators & Policy Makers, transport planners, both from freight and passenger sector

Logistics operations management
Description: an example of applying CLEVER emission factors on a specific hub operation category – e.g., material handling, ports/airports operations – comparing emissions of different fuel types covered in the framework
Target applicants: transport/logistics service provider or operator, shippers, transport planners, both from freight and passenger sector

Climate action planning
Description: an example of applying CLEVER emission factors on a specific transport chain, combining both transport and hub operation categories
Target applicants: transport/logistics service provider or operator, shippers, transport planners, both from freight and passenger sector

Carbon insetting and emission tracking
Description: an example of how CLEVER methodology and emission factors can be used in calculations linked to chain of custody systems such as Book and Claim
Target applicants: transport/logistics service provider or operator, preferably from freight transport sector

What will be the project language?

English will be the official language for the Open Call. Submissions done in any other language will not be evaluated. English will be also the only official language during the whole execution of the project. This means any requested submission of deliverables will be done in English.