Sage Earth Carbon Accounting automates greenhouse gas emissions calculations by integrating financial, operational, and activity-based data with an emissions intensity factor database. Our methodology aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, categorising emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, and calculating them according to the Protocol’s technical guidance, while supporting both automated and manual data inputs.

Sage Carbon Accounting uses a hybrid combination of spend and activity-based data to estimate and calculate a business's footprint. The methodology is underpinned by a dataset of UK industry average emissions factors and is always compatible with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

Sage Earth Carbon Accounting primarily focuses on upstream Scope 3 emissions, such as those from purchased goods and services, business travel, and waste management. These emissions are directly influenced by procurement decisions, making them actionable for reduction efforts.

Downstream Scope 3 emissions, such as those related to the use, processing, and disposal of sold products, are excluded from the current version of the methodology. Downstream emissions reporting is a key roadmap item and will be included in Sage Earth Carbon Accounting soon.

Sage Earth Carbon Accounting uses a location-based method to calculate electricity emissions. This method does not specifically account for renewable or ‘green’ energy tariffs but instead considers the average grid carbon intensity for the region where electricity consumption occurs. This approach reflects the physical mix of energy sources supplying the grid, regardless of any renewable energy claims by the user.

This decision is based on the known limitations of the market-based method, including issues like unbundling, mismatch between supply and demand, and residual carbon intensity.

Find out more: The Sage Earth Carbon Accounting Methodology