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Calculation Tools

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GHG Protocol tools enable companies and cities to develop comprehensive and reliable inventories of their GHG emissions, and help countries and cities track progress toward their climate goals. 

Calculating emissions is a multi-step process. An accurate and useful inventory can only be developed after careful attention to quality control issues and to the activity data required. Only then should emissions be estimated. Companies should consult GHG Protocol’s Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard for guidance on the entire inventory development process.

Below is a complete listing of all tools developed by GHG Protocol. Our tools enable companies to develop comprehensive and reliable inventories of their GHG emissions. Each tool reflects best-practice methods that have been extensively tested by industry experts. Many tools are accompanied by a PDF guidance document, which provides step-by-step guidance on the use of a tool and should be consulted first. Most companies will need to apply more than one tool to cover their emissions.

There are different resources for navigating GHG Protocol tools:

  • Cross-sector tools: Applicable to many industries and businesses regardless of sector.

    • We recently launched the GHG Emissions Calculation Tool is a free, Excel-based tool from Greenhouse Gas Protocol and WRI that helps companies estimate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on the GHG Protocol. This tool is currently available as a beta version. To help us improve this free resource, please share your feedback on this tool with us in this brief survey. Thank you in advance. 

  • Country-specific tools: Customized for particular developing countries.

  • Sector-specific tools: Principally designed for the specific sector or industry listed, though they may be applicable to other situations.

  • Tools for countries and cities: These tools help countries and cities track progress toward their climate goals. 

Review Service

The “Built on GHG Protocol” mark recognizes tools and guidance that are in conformance with a GHG Protocol standard.

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Disclaimer

Before using these tools, please read our disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the GHG Protocol’s GHG accounting tools. 

Cross-Sector Tools

These tools are applicable to many industries and businesses regardless of sector.
Note: International emission factors for electricity use are no longer available from the GHGP website and can be purchased from the IEA.

Emission Factors from Cross-Sector Tools

This document contains the emission factors embedded in the cross-sector calculation tools listed in this section. 
 

Download Worksheet
Date: March 2017

GHG Emissions from Stationary Combustion (English)

Download Guidance
Date: May 2015
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

GHG Emissions from Stationary Combustion (Chinese)

Download Worksheet
Date: July 2011

GHG Emissions from Transport or Mobile Sources

These sources are indirect emissions and are considered Scope 3 for reporting purposes.

Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment

The RAC tool calculates the HFC and PFC emissions from the manufacture, servicing, and/or disposal of RAC equipment. The tool offers three methods: A sales based approach for manufacturers and users; a life cycle stage approach for users; and a basic screening approach that is intended to help companies gauge whether or not their emissions merit the use of one of the other, more advanced methods.

Download Guidance
Date: January 2005
Download Worksheet
Date: January 2015

Global Warming Potential Values

Download Guidance
Date: May 2015

Allocation of Emissions from a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant

Download Guidance
Date: September 2006
Download Worksheet
Date: September 2006

Measurement and Estimation Uncertainty of GHG Emissions

Download Guidance
Date: September 2003
Download Worksheet
Date: September 2003

Scope 3 Uncertainty Calculation Tool

Download Guidance
Date: October 2011
Download Worksheet
Date: October 2011

GHG Emission Calculation Tool

This tool is currently in beta version. 

Download GHG Emissions Calculation Tool.xlsx
Date: March 2021

Country-Specific Tools

These GHG calculation tools have been customized for particular developing countries.

Chinese Coal Fired Power Plants Tool

Download Guidance
Date: May 2013
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2013

GHG Protocol Tool for Energy Consumption in China (Chinese)

Download Guidance
Date: July 2013
Download Worksheet
Date: July 2013

CO2 Emissions from the Production of Cement (CSI) - Chinese version

Download Worksheet
Date: October 2009

CO2 Emissions from the Production of Cement (US EPA) - customized tool for India

Download Guidance
Date: July 2005
Download Worksheet
Date: July 2005

Pulp and Paper Tool - customized for Mexico (English version)

Download Guidance
Date: October 2007
Download Worksheet
Date: October 2007

Pulp and Paper Tool - customized for Mexico (Spanish version)

Download Guidance
Date: October 2007
Download Worksheet
Date: October 2007

Sector-Specific Tools

These tools are principally designed for the specific sector or industry listed, though they may be applicable to other situations.

Aluminum

The Aluminum tool, jointly developed by the International Aluminum Institute and the GHG Protocol, allows the CO2 and PFC emissions from primary aluminum production to be calculated. 

Download Guidance
Date: May 2015
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

Adipic Acid

The Adipic acid tool allows the N2O emissions from adipic acid production to be estimated. It requires data on the amount of adipic acid produced. The tool also calculates any emissions reductions associated with the use of emissions control technologies.

Download Guidance
Date: May 2013
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

Ammonia

The Ammonia tool requires data on the amounts of ammonia that a plant has produced. The tool allows emissions reductions associated with the use of by-product hydrogen to be calculated.

Download Guidance
Date: March 2008
Download Worksheet
Date: March 2008

Cement (CSI) - English

The CSI tool is for estimating GHG emissions from cement manufacture. This clinker based tool is suitable for when the amount of clinker consumed is known.

Download Guidance
Date: June 2005
Download Worksheet
Date: June 2005

Cement (CSI) - Chinese

The CSI tool is for estimating GHG emissions from cement manufacture. This clinker based tool is suitable for when the amount of clinker consumed is known.

Download Guidance
Date: September 2009
Download Worksheet
Date: September 2009

Cement - US EPA

This tool is for estimating GHG emissions from cement manufacture. This tool requires data only on annual cement production. Emissions are calculated using clinker: cement ratios and CaCO3: raw meal ratios. This tool is based on the U.S. EPA’s ClimateWise program (1999).

Download Guidance
Date: August 2002
Download Worksheet
Date: August 2002

Iron and Steel

The Iron and Steel tool provides two different methods for calculating CO2 emissions. One method requires data on the quantities of reducing agents and blast furnace additives used, as well as the quantities of the carbonate fluxes introduced into the furnace. The alternative method requires data on the amount of iron or steel produced, as well as of the carbonate fluxes. The emissions calculation from either method can be adjusted to account for the export of carbon-bearing byproducts.

Download Guidance
Date: March 2008
Download Worksheet
Date: March 2008

HCFC-22

The HCFC–22 tool provides two different methods for calculating HFC-23 emissions from HCFC-22 production. One requires data on the flow rate and composition of the HFC-23 exit streams. The other requires data on the amount of HCFC-22 that has been produced. Both allow the emissions reductions associated with the use of emissions control technologies to be calculated.

Download Guidance
Date: May 2015
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

Nitric Acid

The Nitric acid tool allows the N2O emissions from nitric acid production to be estimated. It requires data on the amount of nitric acid produced. The tool also calculates any emissions reductions associated with the use of emissions control technologies. 

Download Guidance
Date: May 2015
Download Worksheet
Date: May 2015

Pulp and Paper

The Pulp and Paper tool offers a collection of tools that cover the emission sources typically associated with a pulp and paper plant. It is a joint product of the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations and the GHG Protocol.

Download Guidance
Date: December 2008
Download Worksheet
Date: December 2008

Semiconductors

The Semiconductor tool calculates the PFC emissions from semi-conductor wafer production. Required data include the quantities of gas that have been both consumed in wafer production and destroyed using abatement technologies, and the number of wafers produced by size.

Download Worksheet
Date: October 2001

Wood

The Wood Products tool offers a collection of tools that cover the emission sources typically associated with a Wood Products plant. 

Download Guidance
Date: July 2005
Download Worksheet (English units)
Date: June 2022
Download Worksheet (SI units)
Date: June 2022

Lime

The Lime tool allows the CO2 emissions from lime production to be calculated. It requires data on the quantities of the different lime types produced. 

Download Guidance
Date: March 2008
Download Worksheet
Date: March 2008

Tools for Countries and Cities

These tools help countries and cities track progress toward their climate goals. 

Mitigation Goal Standard Calculation Tool

This tool helps countries and cities assess progress toward national and subnational greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Learn more

Policy and Action Standard Calculation Tool

This tool helps countries and cities estimate the greenhouse gas effect of policies and actions.

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