How Is CO₂e Calculated? A Business-Friendly Breakdown
What Is CO₂e and Why It Matters
Today, more businesses are being asked to report their carbon footprint. This includes companies in cleaning, facilities, logistics, and manufacturing. Understanding CO₂e is key to doing this accurately.
CO₂e stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. It’s a unit that combines different greenhouse gases into one number. This makes it easier to compare emissions from different sources. For example, gases like methane or nitrous oxide are included, but converted into a CO₂ equivalent based on how harmful they are to the environment.
Knowing your CO₂e helps you make better decisions. It also shows customers, suppliers, and regulators that you take sustainability seriously. If you report it correctly, it can also improve your business’s reputation and help you stay ahead of new compliance standards.
Where CO₂e Emission Factors Come From
Emission factors are the numbers used to convert activity data into CO₂e. For UK businesses, the most trusted source is the UK Government’s emission factors, published by DEFRA. These factors are updated regularly to reflect the latest research and data.
Using government-backed emission factors ensures your CO₂e calculations are accurate and credible. Many other sources exist, but they may not fit UK standards or your specific industry. Therefore, always check that your supplier or reporting tool uses DEFRA’s factors or an equally reliable source.
Additionally, emission factors differ depending on the activity. For example, factors for electricity use will not be the same as those for fuel consumption or transport. This makes it important to use the right factor for the right activity to get an accurate CO₂e figure.
How CO₂e Is Calculated
Calculating CO₂e is straightforward but requires accurate data and the right emission factors. The basic formula is:
Activity data × Emission factor = CO₂e
Activity data refers to the amount of energy or material used. This could be litres of fuel, kilometres travelled, or kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed. The emission factor tells you how much CO₂e is produced per unit of that activity.
It is important to know which units your emission factor uses. Some factors measure emissions per kilometre, others per litre or per kilogram. Without this clarity, your CO₂e calculations may be incorrect or misleading.
Examples of Emission Factor Units
Emission factors come in different units depending on the activity they measure. Understanding these units helps you interpret CO₂e results correctly.
Common units include:
Kilograms of CO₂e per litre (used for fuels like petrol or diesel)
Kilograms of CO₂e per kilometre (used for transport distances)
Kilograms of CO₂e per kilowatt-hour (used for electricity consumption)
Kilograms of CO₂e per kilogram (used for raw materials or waste)
Each unit applies to specific activities. For example, transport emissions usually use CO₂e per kilometre, while manufacturing may use CO₂e per kilogram of material. When you receive CO₂e figures, always ask for the emission factor unit and source. This transparency ensures your data is reliable and helps you compare emissions across suppliers or activities.
Looking for Low-Carbon Cleaning Supplies?
At Wessex Cleaning, we understand the importance of reducing your carbon footprint. That’s why we offer cleaning equipment and products designed to help UK businesses cut emissions across their operations.
Whether you need eco-friendly cleaning machines, low-impact chemicals, or advice on reducing your environmental impact, our team is here to support your goals.
For practical tips on improving cleaning efficiency while reducing your environmental impact, check out our blog post: 7 Tips for Better Cleaning with Less CO₂.
Browse our web shop or get in touch by emailing us at marketing@wessexcleaning.com to learn how we can help your business meet its sustainability targets.
Key Takeaways
CO₂e combines all greenhouse gases into one standard unit to measure your carbon footprint.
Emission factors mainly come from the UK Government’s DEFRA data, ensuring accuracy and credibility.
Calculations use a simple formula: activity data multiplied by the right emission factor.
Always check which units and emission factors your CO₂e provider uses for transparency.
Different emission factors apply to different activities, like manufacturing, transport, or energy use.
With this knowledge, your business can confidently measure and manage its carbon footprint. Accurate CO₂e reporting leads to better decisions and stronger compliance.