Environmental reporting
Defra’s greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors for company reporting
The purpose of the greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors is to help businesses convert existing data sources i.e. utility bills, car mileage and fuel consumption, into CO2 equivalent data. The data can then be incorporated into the business' GHG inventory, as in preparing a carbon report.
The guidelines outline typical business activities and operations such as, emissions produced from energy use, industrial processes and transport, and provide equivalent CO2 conversion factors. The conversion factors also enable companies to convert emissions of other greenhouse gases (if data is available) into carbon dioxide equivalents. This will help companies measure and aggregate CO2 emissions and identify where emissions reductions can be made.
-
Current version (updated June 2008)
Guidelines to Defra’s Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (PDF 90 KB)
Guidelines to Defra's greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors for company reporting - annexes (PDF 70 KB) -
Previous version (updated June 2007)
Guidelines to Defra's greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors for company reporting (PDF 40 KB) -
Previous version (updated July 2005)
Guidelines for company reporting on greenhouse gas emissions (PDF 70 KB)
Transport methodology paper
Emissions factors are required to estimate the CO2 impact per km (or pkm) from passenger transport. These factors are to be used in a number of different policies including: offsetting, Defra (and Department for Transport) personal CO2 calculators and to update Defra’s GHG conversion factors for company reporting, which represent the current official set of government emissions factors. This paper outlines the methodology used to update the emissions factors for passenger cars, motorcycles, flights, rail travel and buses. The new factors are presented at the end of each of the relevant following sections.
- Passenger transport emissions factors: Methodology paper (pdf, 160 KB)
Act on CO2 Calculator
Individuals can now work out how big their carbon footprint is by using the Government’s Act On CO2 calculator. The calculator focuses on the three most significant areas where individual actions lead directly to CO2 emissions, including:
- household heating, hot water and lighting
- appliances and gadgets
- personal transport.
Page last modified: 09 July 2008