Where are your emissions factors sourced from?

Trace uses a range of emissions factors that cover both activity data inputs (kWh, L, kg etc) and spend data inputs.

For activity data emissions factors, Trace prioritises reputable sources such as government publications and academic studies. Very commonly we refer to the National Greenhouse Account Factors (Australian Government) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK Government). 

Spend-based, Scope 3 emissions factors can be harder to come by. We work with a reputable provider (Footprint Lab) to procure these under a licensed agreement.

Footprint Lab generates its Australian / New Zealand emissions factors from sources such as well established Australian Input-Output Tables, the Australian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounts (Australian Government) and EXIOBASE's multi-regional input-output database. Emissions factors for the UK are generated based on data made available by DEFRA.

On our Pro Software plan, you'll be able to see where we sourced the emissions factors for your calculations in the Measure Dashboard.