Calculator
Example data table
| Activity | Denominator | CO2 factor (kg/unit) | CH4 factor (kg/unit) | N2O factor (kg/unit) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grid electricity | kWh | 0.40 | 0.00002 | 0.00001 | Illustrative values for demo scenarios. |
| Diesel combustion | L | 2.68 | 0.00010 | 0.00008 | Use vetted factors for compliance work. |
| Passenger travel | km | 0.18 | 0.00001 | 0.000005 | Vehicle type changes results substantially. |
| Natural gas use | m³ (gas) | 1.90 | 0.00030 | 0.00002 | Leakage affects CH4 more than CO2. |
Formula used
First, the activity amount is converted into the factor denominator unit. For each gas, emissions are computed as:
Total CO2e combines gases using global warming potentials (GWPs):
When measured emissions are provided, the calculator derives factors by dividing net emissions by converted activity:
How to use this calculator
- Choose a mode: compute emissions, or derive factors from measurements.
- Enter the activity amount and pick its unit (energy, volume, mass, distance, or gas volume).
- Select the factor denominator unit so activity can be converted consistently.
- Add a reduction percentage if you want to model capture or mitigation.
- Provide emission factors (or measured emissions), plus CH4 and N2O GWP values.
- Press Calculate, then download results as CSV or PDF for records.
Why emission factors matter
Emission factors translate operational activity into comparable greenhouse‑gas outputs. A kilowatt‑hour, liter, tonne, or kilometer becomes an emissions estimate when multiplied by a factor. In inventories, factors support consistency across sites and time periods. For example, a facility using 50,000 kWh with an illustrative 0.40 kg CO2 per kWh yields 20,000 kg CO2 before reductions. Using factors also helps communicate intensity, such as kg CO2e per unit of output.
Building activity datasets
Reliable calculations start with clean activity data. Capture the reporting period, data source, meter or invoice reference, and the activity unit. Typical datasets include electricity use, stationary fuel purchases, logistics distance, and process throughput. When data is missing, document estimation methods and uncertainty. A common practice is to flag records by quality tier, for example “measured”, “modeled”, or “estimated”, so results can be reviewed and improved over time.
Handling unit conversions
Unit mismatch is a major source of error. The calculator converts activity into the denominator unit of the chosen factor, reducing manual steps. As an example, 1 MWh equals 1,000 kWh, and 1 GJ equals 277.78 kWh. Liquid fuels may be tracked in gallons or barrels, while transport may be in miles. Converting to a consistent denominator enables direct comparison between scenarios and prevents double counting.
CO2e and multi‑gas reporting
Many sources emit more than CO2. Small masses of CH4 and N2O can materially change totals once GWPs are applied. Using illustrative GWPs of 28 for CH4 and 265 for N2O, 10 kg CH4 contributes 280 kg CO2e, while 1 kg N2O contributes 265 kg CO2e. The calculator reports each gas in kilograms and aggregates to CO2e, supporting disclosures and internal KPIs.
Scenario testing and governance
Operational decisions often change factors or activity. You can model mitigation by applying a reduction percentage to represent capture, efficiency upgrades, or control technologies. Track scenarios with clear labels, then export CSV or PDF for audit trails. Good governance includes versioning factor sources, reviewing outliers, and aligning boundaries with reporting standards. Over time, derived factors from measurements can replace generic defaults and improve accuracy. Use documented assumptions to keep comparisons transparent, repeatable.
FAQs
It is the mass of a specific gas emitted per unit of activity, such as kg CO2 per kWh or per liter, used to convert usage data into emissions.
Factors are valid only for their denominator. Converting the activity into that unit prevents scaling errors, such as treating 1 MWh as 1 kWh, which would understate emissions by 1,000×.
The calculator multiplies each gas by (1 − reduction%). Use it to model capture systems, efficiency projects, or verified abatement that reduces emitted mass for the same activity.
CO2e equals CO2 plus CH4 multiplied by its GWP plus N2O multiplied by its GWP. This converts non‑CO2 gases into a common warming‑equivalent unit for reporting.
Use it when you know total emitted masses for a period and want to derive stable factors per unit of activity. It is useful for site‑specific boilers, processes, or controlled systems.
They export your latest run’s inputs and outputs, including converted activity, gas totals, and CO2e. CSV suits spreadsheets, while the PDF is a quick shareable record for reviews.
Why emission factors matter
Emission factors translate operational activity into comparable greenhouse‑gas outputs. A kilowatt‑hour, liter, tonne, or kilometer becomes an emissions estimate when multiplied by a factor. In inventories, factors support consistency across sites and time periods. For example, a facility using 50,000 kWh with an illustrative 0.40 kg CO2 per kWh yields 20,000 kg CO2 before reductions. Using factors also helps communicate intensity, such as kg CO2e per unit of output.
Building activity datasets
Reliable calculations start with clean activity data. Capture the reporting period, data source, meter or invoice reference, and the activity unit. Typical datasets include electricity use, stationary fuel purchases, logistics distance, and process throughput. When data is missing, document estimation methods and uncertainty. A common practice is to flag records by quality tier, for example “measured”, “modeled”, or “estimated”, so results can be reviewed and improved over time.
Handling unit conversions
Unit mismatch is a major source of error. The calculator converts activity into the denominator unit of the chosen factor, reducing manual steps. As an example, 1 MWh equals 1,000 kWh, and 1 GJ equals 277.78 kWh. Liquid fuels may be tracked in gallons or barrels, while transport may be in miles. Converting to a consistent denominator enables direct comparison between scenarios and prevents double counting.
CO2e and multi‑gas reporting
Many sources emit more than CO2. Small masses of CH4 and N2O can materially change totals once GWPs are applied. Using illustrative GWPs of 28 for CH4 and 265 for N2O, 10 kg CH4 contributes 280 kg CO2e, while 1 kg N2O contributes 265 kg CO2e. The calculator reports each gas in kilograms and aggregates to CO2e, supporting disclosures and internal KPIs.
Scenario testing and governance
Operational decisions often change factors or activity. You can model mitigation by applying a reduction percentage to represent capture, efficiency upgrades, or control technologies. Track scenarios with clear labels, then export CSV or PDF for audit trails. Good governance includes versioning factor sources, reviewing outliers, and aligning boundaries with reporting standards. Over time, derived factors from measurements can replace generic defaults and improve accuracy. Use documented assumptions to keep comparisons transparent, repeatable.
FAQs
It is the mass of a specific gas emitted per unit of activity, such as kg CO2 per kWh or per liter, used to convert usage data into emissions.
Factors are valid only for their denominator. Converting the activity into that unit prevents scaling errors, such as treating 1 MWh as 1 kWh, which would understate emissions by 1,000×.
The calculator multiplies each gas by (1 − reduction%). Use it to model capture systems, efficiency projects, or verified abatement that reduces emitted mass for the same activity.
CO2e equals CO2 plus CH4 multiplied by its GWP plus N2O multiplied by its GWP. This converts non‑CO2 gases into a common warming‑equivalent unit for reporting.
Use it when you know total emitted masses for a period and want to derive stable factors per unit of activity. It is useful for site‑specific boilers, processes, or controlled systems.
They export your latest run’s inputs and outputs, including converted activity, gas totals, and CO2e. CSV suits spreadsheets, while the PDF is a quick shareable record for reviews.