When computing a company's GHG inventory, it is crucial to use the most relevant emission factors. These emission factors must be up-to-date and follow certain standards.
Regulatory guidelines
The most recent version of a database should be used
All greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol should be included (CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, NF3, HFCs et PFCs)
Global warming potentials (GWP) for a 100-year time horizon must be used
Global warming potentials are the one provided by the IPCC, the most recent ones when available (i.e. IPCC 2021 AR6).
Updating database
When an external emission factor database is added to the Greenly database, we must guarantee the quality and relevance of the database.
Updating already imported databases
For databases that have already been added once, whenever a new version is released all emission factors must be updated as soon as possible. This generally happens once a year.
To be notified when a new version is released, we are subscribed to mailing lists and regularly check LinkedIn post and visit the websites of these databases.
Adding new databases
For new databases, some checks need to be done before adding it to the Greenly database:
Duplicate check: Do the emission factors included in the database complement the ones that have already been imported. If most are duplicates or very similar to existing ones, these won't be added (reasons for importing a new database: new datasets, better granularity, new geography, etc.)
Reliability check: Is it a renowned and trustworthy database? Are the methodology and assumptions well-documented and transparent?
Consistency check: for emission factors similar to those in other databases, is the ratio of the same order of magnitude and is the difference justifiable?
Regulatory check: Are all Kyoto gases included? Are GWP100 values used? Are the values those of AR6 (or AR4 or AR5)?
Already included databases
All these emission factors include all Kyoto gases and ratios in kgCO2e are computed using GWP 100. GWP are those of IPCC 2021 AR6. However, when databases do not provide this, we also accept AR5 (IPCC 2014) and AR4 (IPCC 2007).
Some of these databases also provided the breakdown of emissions per GHG and biogenic emissions. When available, theses are used for the regulatory export of the GHG inventory.
Some databases also provide uncertainties. This value is not directly used to compute the uncertainty of a GHG inventory, but is factored in when a Greenly uncertainty is computed.
🧠 Version, links, GWP, GHG breakdown and uncertainties
💡 Generic database
Base Carbone® v23.2
Base IMPACTS® v3.0
GWP 100 IPCC AR6
GHG breakdown and uncertainties provided
v2023
GWP 100 IPCC AR5
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
v2024
GWP 100 IPCC AR5
Upstream emissions are not included (e.g. energy, transport, etc.)
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
Public authority
Other countries (outside France, UK, US) also provide EF. These are used when specifically requested for
GWP 100 IPCC
🔌 Electricity
v2023
GWP 100 IPCC AR4
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
v2023
GWP 100 IPCC AR5
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
v2022
GWP 100 IPCC AR4
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
❗ Other specific databases
Agribalyse (Food)
v3.1.1
GWP 100 IPCC AR6
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
Ecoinvent (Products and processes)
v3.10
Impact assessment method: IPCC 2021 AR6 GWP100
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
v2023
GWP 100 IPCC AR5
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
Inies (Construction)
Continuously updated
LCA: FDES or PEP (5 year validity period)
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
Carbon minds (Chemical)
Version 2.00,
GWP 100 IPCC AR6
LCA ISO 14067
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
GLEC (Transport)
v3.0
GWP 100 IPCC AR6
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
HBEFA (Transport)
v4.2
GWP 100 IPCC AR5
GHG breakdown provided, uncertainties not provided
🔨 LCAs
Version and AR depend on the LCA
Healthcare LCA (Healthcare)
Carboncloud climatehub (Food)
International EPD system (Products)
LCA shared by clients or suppliers (Products)
🔧 Greenly EF
Exiobase (input-output tables)
GWP 100 IPCC AR4
GHG breakdown and uncertainties not provided
The most up-to-date version of the database is systematically used
Greenly monetary EF
Greenly experts
Greenly product LCA
Company reports
Depends on the company