Operational Guide for Carbon Footprint Calculation Tools
This guide, based on the Carbon Reporting Tool for Chinese SMEs published by the China National Institute of Standardization and mainstream carbon footprint methodologies, details the workflow for enterprise-level and individual-level carbon footprint calculations.
I. Tool Overview
1. Applicable Users
- Enterprise-Level: Suitable for SMEs in manufacturing, trade, logistics, etc., supporting lifecycle carbon emission accounting (from raw material procurement to product disposal).
- Individual-Level: Covers daily activities like household energy consumption and transportation (refer to Webpage 3, Webpage 8).
2. Tool Formats
- Excel Template: Contains 14 worksheets divided into Data Input (12 sheets) and Results Display (2 sheets).
- Functional Modules:
- Data Input: Covers energy consumption, logistics, waste management, and other lifecycle data.
- Automatic Calculation: Generates total carbon emissions and category breakdowns using embedded formulas.
II. Operational Steps
Step 1: Define Organizational Boundaries & Consolidation Methods
1. Consolidation Method Selection (Mandatory for Enterprises):
- Operational Control: Account for all activities under the enterprise’s direct control (e.g., owned vehicles, leased but self-operated facilities).
- Financial Control: Use financial ownership as the boundary (e.g., joint ventures’ emissions allocated by equity share).
- Equity Share: Allocate emissions from affiliated entities based on ownership percentage.
2. Header Information Entry:
- Input company name, reporting period (12 months), data preparer, etc.
Step 2: Data Collection & Input
1. Data Sources:
- Primary Data: Energy bills, purchase invoices, logistics records.
- Secondary Data: Government databases (e.g., China Emission Factor Database) or international LCA databases (e.g., Ecoinvent).
2. Key Data Input Examples:
|
Worksheet |
Input Content |
Data Example |
|
On-site Fuel Use |
Fuel type (natural gas, diesel), annual consumption, unit |
Diesel 5000 liters/year |
|
Purchased Energy |
Electricity/steam consumption and supplier details |
Electricity 100,000 kWh (coal-based power: 60%) |
|
Logistics & Transport |
Transport mode (road/shipping), distance, cargo weight |
Road transport: 1000 km, 10-ton load |
|
Waste & Water |
Waste type (solid/liquid), disposal method, water usage |
Plastic waste: 2 tons, 80% recycling rate |
Step 3: Carbon Emission Calculation
1. Formula Basis:
- Basic Formula: Carbon Emissions = Activity Data × Emission Factor (refer to Webpage 4, Webpage 9).
- Example: Electricity emissions = Consumption (kWh) × Grid emission factor (e.g., North China Grid: 0.785 kgCO2/kWh).
- Complex Scenarios:
- Logistics: Emissions = Distance × Cargo Weight × Transport mode factor (road: 0.15 kgCO2/ton-km).
- Fugitive Emissions: Refrigerant leakage × GWP (e.g., R134a GWP=1430).
2. Results Display:
- Total Emissions: Summarized in CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
- Category Breakdown: Charts showing contributions from energy, logistics, waste, etc.
Step 4: Data Verification & Report Generation
1. Data Quality Checks:
- Verify completeness (missing fields flagged in red).
- Screen outliers (e.g., abnormal daily energy spikes requiring explanation).
2. Report Templates:
- Automatically generate ISO 14064-compliant reports, including:
- Boundary definitions
- Data sources and assumptions
- Mitigation recommendations (e.g., renewable energy adoption, route optimization).
III. FAQs & Solutions
1. Data Gaps:
- Use secondary data or industry averages (e.g., steel production emissions from Ecoinvent).
2. Calculation Errors:
- Calibrate by updating emission factors annually (e.g., adjust grid factors based on regional energy mix).
3. Multi-country Operations:
- Segment data by jurisdiction (e.g., EU PEF vs. China’s carbon market rules).
IV. Tool Download & Technical Support
1. Access Channels:
- Download from the China National Institute of Standardization website or partner platforms (registration required).
- Third-party providers (e.g., carbon consultancies offering customized templates).
2. Support Services:
- Online help documentation (toggle Chinese/English via “C”/“E” buttons).
- Expert support: Remote guidance from carbon accounting specialists (refer to Webpage 6, Webpage 10).
V. Extended Applications
1. Carbon Reduction Planning:
- Use sensitivity analysis to identify high-emission areas (e.g., logistics exceeding 40% of total emissions).
2. Green Certification:
- Output data supports applications for ISO 14001, B Corp Certification, etc.
