|  November 22, 2023

🕓 Reading time 7 minutes

Table of contents

1. What are emission factors?

2. How emission factors are used in the carbon footprint calculation

3. Examples of emission factors

4. Here you can find sources for emission factors

5. This is what you should consider when using emission factors so that the carbon footprint is recognized

1. What are emission factors?

 

Emission factors are numerical values or specific constants that quantify the amount of greenhouse gases or other pollutants released into the environment by a particular activity, process, fuel, or source. They serve as a measure of emission intensity and allow the calculation of total emissions by specifying the amount of pollutants per unit of activity or fuel used.

These factors vary depending on the type of emission (such as CO2, methane, nitrogen oxides, etc.), the specific activity or process (e.g., transportation, energy generation, industrial processes), and the type of fuel or resource used. They may be based on national averages, industrial standards, scientific studies, or other sources.

2. How emission factors are used in the carbon footprint calculation

 

Emission factors are used in the emissions calculationto quantify the amount of greenhouse gases or other pollutants produced by a specific activity, process or fuel use.

The Unit is “CO2e”, which stands for "carbon dioxide equivalent." This unit is used to quantify the climate impact of various greenhouse gases.

CO2e allows greenhouse gas emissions to be expressed in a single unit of measurement by dividing the amount of greenhouse gases (such as methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, etc.) in terms of the amount of CO2 that has a similar climate impact over a specified period of time. This allows for a comparable statement about total greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Examples of emission factors

 

Motor vehicles

Emission factors for cars can be expressed in grams of CO2 per kilometer. For example, the Emission factor for a specific type of car: X grams of CO2e per kilometer. To calculate the GHG emissions from the use of this car, the kilometers driven are then multiplied by a corresponding Emission factor offset.

Power generation

For electricity generation, emission factors can be specified in grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour, depending on the type of fuel used. For example, the German electricity mix has a Emission factor of: X grams of CO2e per kilowatt-hour. The consumed kilowatt-hours are then offset against this factor to determine the resulting amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Industrial processes

Emission factors for industrial processes, such as cement or steel production, are often expressed in tonnes of CO2e per tonne of material produced.

Waste

Emission factors in waste management can be measured in grams of CO2e per ton of disposed waste. The amount of disposed waste in tonnes is then adjusted by this factor to determine the resulting greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Here you can find sources for emission factors

 

Where can you find emission factors? There are various sources from which emission factors for greenhouse gases and pollutants can be derived. These sources can come from paid databases that aggregate factors for a variety of activities and processes. Emission factors are also published by government agencies, organizations, research institutes, industry associations, and academic studies. Some typical sources include:

 

Paid emissions manuals and databases

There are special manuals and databases available for purchase that bundle emission factors for a variety of activities and processes. For a comprehensive accounting of all company activities, including upstream and downstream activities in Scope 3, such professional databases are essential. Examples include the GaBi or the ecoinvent database.

 

government institutions

Comprehensive national and regional environmental agencies collect data and produce reports on emission factors for various sectors such as transport, industry, power generation and agriculture, e.g.:

• Federal Environment Agency (DE): https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/
• Federal Environment Agency (AT):  https://www.umweltbundesamt.at/
• Federal Motor Transport Authority: https://www.kba.de/

International organizations

Organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) regularly publish reports containing emission factors and emissions data.

International Energy Agency (IEA): https://www.iea.org/

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): https://www.ipcc.ch/

European Environment Agency (EEA): https://www.eea.europa.eu/de

Industry associations and organizations

Industry-specific organizations and associations can provide detailed data on emissions and emission factors in specific economic sectors. For example, associations of the automotive or energy production industries can publish emissions data.

 

Scientific literature and research studies

Scientific publications and research studies often provide detailed data on emissions and emission factors. These studies can be published by academic institutions, research institutes, or independent researchers.

 

5. This is what you should consider when using emission factors so that the carbon footprint is recognized

 

When using emission factors, several important points must be considered to achieve accurate and reliable carbon footprint results that are also recognized by legal reporting requirements, such as the CSRD or other stakeholders:

 

Relevance and timeliness: Use emission factors relevant to your specific region, industry, or activity. Check that the data is current and appropriate for your specific application, as emission factors can change over time.

Availability of data and transparency: Ensure that the sources of your emission factors are transparent and the data used are well documented. A clear description of the methodology is important for assessing its reliability.

Emissions calculations and context: Understand the context in which emission factors are used. Correctly applying the factors in emission calculations is critical to achieving accurate results.

Collaboration and expertise: Learning how to properly use emission factors and life cycle assessment (LCA) software is complex and time-consuming. For companies that don't have a dedicated department for this area, training is expensive and time-consuming. Instead, work with experts, consultants, or organizations with expertise in emissions calculation and reduction. This will help you allocate your resources wisely and ensure that the factors applied are accurate and appropriate. 

We at Green Vision Solutions help by creating your Corporate Carbon Footprints in implementing reporting requirements and additional stakeholder requirements for CO₂

To achieve these targets economically, we offer our TÜV-certified Software+Service method: with user-friendly carbon management software and a strong, customized service offering. Feel free to contact us. Contact us, to evaluate whether our CSRD-compliant carbon footprint survey is suitable for your company.

Find out more here about our Corporate Carbon Footprint