CO2e (CO2 equivalents)
CO2e is a common unit that converts different greenhouse gases into the amount of CO2 that would have the same warming effect on the climate.
CO2e stands for carbon dioxide equivalents. It is a common unit that makes it possible to add up different greenhouse gases by converting them into the amount of CO2 with the same warming effect.
Why use CO2e instead of CO2?
Proper carbon accounting covers more greenhouse gases than CO2. Some gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, have a far stronger warming effect per kilogram than CO2. Converting everything to CO2e lets you compare and sum emissions in a single figure.
Which gases are included?
The GHG Protocol covers the seven greenhouse gases defined in the Kyoto Protocol:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
- Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
CO2e in practice
Emission factors are usually stated in CO2e per unit, for example grams of CO2e per kWh of electricity or kilograms of CO2e per litre of diesel. Multiply consumption by the emission factor and you get emissions directly in CO2e.
How Enity EMS calculates CO2e
Enity EMS applies documented emission factors to your recorded consumption and automatically calculates emissions in CO2e across scope 1, 2 and 3. You can also add your own emission factors with supporting documentation.
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See it in action
Want to see how your consumption translates into CO2e? Book a demo and we will show you how it works with your own data.