Carbon Accounting in 2025: As Political Tides Shift, What Do Shippers Need to Know?
The carbon accounting landscape in U.S. logistics has entered a new phase. Just past 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump has already withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, halted an array of clean energy projects and announced major cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency’s staff and budget. The return of the Trump administration has initiated a significant rollback of federal climate regulations through the loosening of emissions oversight, the defunding environmental initiatives, and the scaling back corporate disclosure requirements.
But the path to decarbonization isn’t determined by Washington alone. States, global markets, and investor expectations are holding firm. For U.S. shippers, 2025 is not the year to pause sustainability plans. It’s the year to future-proof them.
Despite Setbacks, Decarbonization Remains a Priority for Shippers
Even as federal agencies shift course, the forces driving sustainability in supply chains remain powerful. ESG commitments, global compliance frameworks, and competitive pressures are reinforcing the need for accurate, actionable carbon data insight. Shippers navigating ocean, rail, and intermodal freight networks must continue tracking and reducing emissions or risk falling behind.
Key Climate Rollbacks Affecting Logistics & Supply Chains
With the return of the Trump administration, 2025 has ushered in a rollback of several key federal climate policies, many of which directly impact the logistics and freight sectors.
Among the most notable is the reversal of Biden-era emissions targets that were designed to push transportation and supply chain stakeholders toward more aggressive decarbonisation timelines. In tandem, the federal government is moving to defund climate oversight mechanisms across various agencies, weakening the infrastructure that previously supported carbon regulation and reporting.
One of the most consequential shifts involves the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Climate Disclosure Rule. While initially poised to enforce more rigorous climate-related financial disclosures, the rule is now under pressure, and its long-term implementation is uncertain. Without a concrete federal mandate for corporate carbon transparency, companies that were preparing for widespread disclosures now face a fragmented compliance environment.
Despite these rollbacks at the federal level, emissions accountability isn’t disappearing. It’s simply decentralising. Companies that operate across state lines or engage in international trade must still navigate a patchwork of local and global regulations. For shippers, this evolving landscape requires not less focus on carbon data but more clarity, consistency, and strategic foresight.
Carbon Accounting in 2025: Three Strategies for Navigating Uncertainty
In this fragmented landscape, success depends on staying proactive and data-driven. Here’s how U.S. shippers can stay aligned with evolving requirements and keep emissions reduction on track:
Adopt Internal Carbon Accounting Practices
With regulatory oversight in flux, many companies are formalising internal emissions accounting to maintain control and credibility. Using digital platforms like Searoutes’ CO2 API, shippers can track Scope 3 emissions across modes and carriers with service-specific granularity. This data becomes the foundation for trustworthy sustainability reporting, whether for internal use or external audit. Most importantly, it delivers support for key improvements and guarantees a clear and consistent vision for a company’s path to become net-zero.
Leverage State & International Regulations for Competitive Advantage
Aligning with California’s Clean Air Rules, the EU ETS, or Canada’s carbon markets can help U.S. shippers win business with ESG-driven customers and global partners. Carbon-conscious procurement is no longer niche. Demonstrating compliance with high standards opens doors to long-term contracts and reputational gains.
Use Technology to Optimise Emissions & Reduce Costs
Tools like Searoutes’ Routing API and Vessel API enable emissions-aware planning, balancing service levels, lead times, and carbon output. Shippers can evaluate low-emission options across lanes, identify green transshipments, and make real-time adjustments to reduce fuel burn and emissions simultaneously.
Future-Proofing Freight: Gain Control of Your Scope 3 Emissions in 2025
As political tides shift, carbon accountability remains a business necessity. Whether driven by customers, states, or international markets, the demand for accurate Scope 3 data isn’t going anywhere.
Searoutes empowers shippers with the data they need to thrive in uncertainty, offering emissions transparency, route optimisation, and real-time CO2 tracking to support smarter decisions and sustainable growth.
Get started today with Searoutes’ CO2, Routing, and Vessel APIs to take control of your emissions and stay competitive in a changing world.