Carbon Accounting - I have my data, what's next?

You've gathered your emissions data - congratulations, that's step one complete. But now that you have it, how do you calculate your baseline emissions? You're going to need three key components: accurate and up-to-date emission factors, either an Excel file or carbon accounting software, and an understanding of carbon accounting formulas.

It might seem like a lot, but don't worry. We have all of this built into the GreenFeet platform to make the process straightforward for you.

What is an Emission Factor?

An emission factor (EF) is a coefficient used to estimate the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced per unit of activity or input. It provides a standardised way to calculate emissions from various sources and processes by relating them to specific activities, such as energy use, fuel consumption or production processes.

Emission factors are typically expressed in units like kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour (kg CO2e/kWh) or per litre of fuel consumed. These factors enable organisations to convert activity data into emissions estimates using recognised methodologies.

Why Use Excel or Carbon Accounting Software?

Whilst it's possible to calculate emissions manually, using a properly formatted template or dedicated software makes life significantly easier. A correctly formatted Excel template or software platform takes all the guesswork out of calculations and ensures you get accurate results every time.

These tools also help you organise your data effectively, track changes over time, maintain consistency in your approach and reduce the risk of calculation errors that can occur with manual processes.

Carbon Accounting Formulas

Carbon accounting uses specific formulas to estimate the total greenhouse gas emissions produced by an entity, process or product. The most common formula for calculating emissions is:

Emissions = Activity Data × Emission Factor

Where:

• Activity Data is the measure of the action that generates emissions (such as kWh of electricity consumed, litres of fuel burned or kilometres travelled)
• Emission Factor is the coefficient that converts that activity into emissions (as explained above)

For example, if your organisation consumed 10,000 kWh of electricity and the emission factor for your grid electricity is 0.5 kg CO2e per kWh, your emissions would be:

10,000 kWh × 0.5 kg CO2e/kWh = 5,000 kg CO2e (or 5 tonnes CO2e)

Applying the Process

Once you understand the basic formula, you simply need to repeat this process for each relevant emissions category across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. This involves identifying all your emission sources, collecting the activity data for each, applying the appropriate emission factors and calculating the total emissions.

Different activities require different emission factors, so it's essential to use the correct factor for each activity type. Emission factor databases are regularly updated to reflect current energy mixes and improved scientific understanding, so using current factors is important for accuracy.

Getting Started

If the process seems overwhelming, we can help. We have a step-by-step training guide that will make you feel like an emissions expert in no time. The guide walks you through each stage of the calculation process, explains how to select appropriate emission factors and helps you interpret your results.

Alternatively, if you'd prefer expert support, we can do it for you. Our team can handle your emissions calculations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with recognised standards whilst freeing you to focus on reduction strategies.

To learn more about GreenFeet and how we can support your carbon accounting journey, book a demo now.