GHG accounting and its emission factors

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Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting involves quantifying emissions across different scopes (Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3) and is typically guided by protocols such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Here are the key formulas and approaches used in GHG accounting for each scope:

1. Scope 1: Direct Emissions

Scope 1 includes direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organization (e.g., fuel combustion in company-owned vehicles, emissions from manufacturing processes).

Formula for Combustion Emissions

For fossil fuel combustion:

Emissions=Activity Data×Emission Factor\text{Emissions} = \text{Activity Data} \times \text{Emission Factor}
  • Activity Data: Quantity of fuel used (e.g., liters of diesel, cubic meters of natural gas).
  • Emission Factor: A coefficient that represents the emissions produced per unit of activity (e.g., kg CO₂ per liter of diesel).

Example (CO₂ emissions from fuel):

CO₂ Emissions=Fuel Used (liters)×CO₂ Emission Factor (kg CO₂/liter)\text{CO₂ Emissions} = \text{Fuel Used (liters)} \times \text{CO₂ Emission Factor (kg CO₂/liter)}

Formula for Process Emissions

Some industrial processes release GHGs directly (e.g., chemical reactions in cement production).

Emissions=Activity Data×Process Emission Factor\text{Emissions} = \text{Activity Data} \times \text{Process Emission Factor}

2. Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Purchased Energy

Scope 2 emissions are from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the organization.

Formula for Purchased Electricity Emissions

Emissions=Electricity Consumed (kWh)×Electricity Emission Factor (kg CO₂e/kWh)\text{Emissions} = \text{Electricity Consumed (kWh)} \times \text{Electricity Emission Factor (kg CO₂e/kWh)}
  • Electricity Consumed: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for the total electricity purchased and used.
  • Electricity Emission Factor: Varies by country and electricity provider, often published in annual reports by utilities or government agencies.

Market-Based vs. Location-Based Method

  • Location-Based: Uses average grid emission factors for the geographical area.
  • Market-Based: Uses specific emission factors based on the company's energy contracts or renewable energy purchases.

3. Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions

Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions from sources not owned or directly controlled by the organization (e.g., supply chain, business travel, employee commuting).

Formula for Scope 3 Categories (e.g., Business Travel)

Emissions=Activity Data×Emission Factor\text{Emissions} = \text{Activity Data} \times \text{Emission Factor}
  • Activity Data: Varies by category. For example:
    • Business Travel: Total distance traveled (e.g., km) by mode of transportation.
    • Waste Disposal: Amount of waste generated (e.g., kg or tonnes).
    • Purchased Goods: Quantity of materials purchased (e.g., kg or m³).

Example Formula for Air Travel Emissions

Emissions=Distance Traveled (km)×Emission Factor by Class and Distance\text{Emissions} = \text{Distance Traveled (km)} \times \text{Emission Factor by Class and Distance}
  • Emission factors differ based on flight distance (short, medium, long haul) and travel class (economy, business, first class).

General Formula for Total GHG Emissions

To calculate the total GHG emissions, sum emissions from all relevant activities across Scopes 1, 2, and 3:

Total Emissions=∑(Scope 1 Emissions)+∑(Scope 2 Emissions)+∑(Scope 3 Emissions)\text{Total Emissions} = \sum (\text{Scope 1 Emissions}) + \sum (\text{Scope 2 Emissions}) + \sum (\text{Scope 3 Emissions})

Each greenhouse gas (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, etc.) is converted to CO₂-equivalent (CO₂e) using Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors:

GHG Emissions (CO₂e)=Emissions of Gas×GWP of Gas\text{GHG Emissions (CO₂e)} = \text{Emissions of Gas} \times \text{GWP of Gas}

Emission Factors and Global Warming Potential (GWP)

  • Emission Factors: Specific to the activity and location (e.g., energy source type for electricity).
  • GWP: Conversion factors to translate various GHGs into CO₂ equivalents (e.g., GWP for CH₄ is 25, meaning it’s 25 times more impactful than CO₂).

These formulas allow organizations to consistently quantify their emissions, identify high-impact areas, and monitor reductions over time.

Emission factors can vary widely depending on the type of fuel, electricity source, and process, as well as the location. Below are some commonly used factors for different fuels, processes, and electricity sources. These are averages; for precise accounting, organizations should refer to local or industry-specific factors provided by national or regional environmental agencies.

1. Emission Factors for Fuels (Combustion Emission Factors)

Used for Scope 1 emissions from fuel combustion.

Fuel TypeCO₂ Emission Factor (kg CO₂/unit)
Natural Gas~ 0.185 kg CO₂/kWh (or ~2.05 kg CO₂/m³)
Diesel~ 2.68 kg CO₂/liter
Petrol (Gasoline)~ 2.31 kg CO₂/liter
Coal (Bituminous)~ 2.86 kg CO₂/kg
Propane~ 1.51 kg CO₂/liter
Kerosene~ 2.5 kg CO₂/liter

These factors are typically taken from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) guidelines, and regional variations may apply.

2. Process Emission Factors

Used for emissions from industrial processes (e.g., cement production, steel manufacturing). Process emissions are industry-specific, as they depend on chemical reactions.

ProcessTypical Emission Factor (kg CO₂/unit)
Cement Production~ 0.5 kg CO₂/kg of cement produced
Lime Production~ 0.79 kg CO₂/kg of lime produced
Ammonia Production~ 1.8 kg CO₂/kg of ammonia produced
Aluminum Production~ 1.6 - 2.2 kg CO₂/kg of aluminum produced
Iron and Steel Production~ 1.9 kg CO₂/kg of steel produced

Process emission factors can vary based on technology, feedstock, and efficiency.

3. Electricity Emission Factors

Electricity emission factors depend on the fuel mix of the grid and vary by country. Below are examples of average values from common regions. Typically, these factors are for Scope 2 emissions from purchased electricity.

Region/CountryEmission Factor (kg CO₂e/kWh)
World Average~ 0.475 kg CO₂e/kWh
United States~ 0.4 kg CO₂e/kWh
European Union~ 0.25 kg CO₂e/kWh
China~ 0.65 kg CO₂e/kWh
India~ 0.82 kg CO₂e/kWh
Canada~ 0.15 kg CO₂e/kWh
Australia~ 0.7 kg CO₂e/kWh

These values reflect the fuel mix in each country, with regions relying heavily on coal or fossil fuels generally having higher factors, while countries using renewables or nuclear power tend to have lower emission factors. Annual updates to these values are often available from national energy agencies or entities like the IEA (International Energy Agency).

4. Emission Factors for Common Scope 3 Activities

Scope 3 emissions factors vary based on the activity.

ActivityEmission Factor Range (kg CO₂e/unit)
Air Travel (Economy, Short Haul)~ 0.15 - 0.3 kg CO₂e/km per passenger
Air Travel (Business, Long Haul)~ 0.3 - 0.5 kg CO₂e/km per passenger
Rail Travel (Passenger)~ 0.05 kg CO₂e/km per passenger
Road Freight (Diesel Truck)~ 0.1 - 0.25 kg CO₂e/km per ton-km
Waste (Municipal Solid Waste to Landfill)~ 1.17 kg CO₂e/kg of waste
Purchased Goods (General)Highly variable; consult specific industry factors

For accurate reporting, companies are encouraged to consult specific Scope 3 guidance (e.g., by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol) or specialized databases like ecoinvent or DEFRA, which provide emission factors for various goods and services.

Sources of Emission Factors

Organizations should refer to these sources for the latest and most region-specific emission factors:

  • IPCC Guidelines: For general and global standards on emission factors.
  • Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Provides guidance and emission factors for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
  • Environmental Protection Agencies: Many countries have environmental agencies (like the U.S. EPA) that publish region-specific emission factors.
  • IEA and National Energy Agencies: Provide electricity emission factors and other data for regional fuel mixes.
  • CDP, DEFRA, ecoinvent: Various databases for Scope 3 factors in supply chains and travel.

For precise reporting, it is recommended to use factors specific to the country or region, as these can be updated annually based on energy mix changes and technology advancements.



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