What is the Custom CO2 entry tab?
The Custom CO2 entry tab allows you to report emissions that have already been calculated outside of the BEE.
Data entered in the Custom CO2 entry tab does not calculate emissions using an emission factor. Instead, you enter the final emissions total (in metric tonnes of CO2e) from an external calculation, then assign it to the appropriate GHG Protocol Scope and category.
Once entered, the BEE automatically includes those emissions in the appropriate scope/category totals when you sync your workbook.
When should I use a Custom CO2 entry?
Use a Custom CO2 entry if you have a completed emissions calculation using an emission factor from outside of the BEE, or direct GHG data from a supplier:
Some common examples include:
Product Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
Custom material calculations using published emission factors
Shipping emissions reports (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.)
Cloud computing or AI usage reports (AWS, GCP)
Waste calculations
Other GHG Protocol-aligned calculations completed outside the BEE
Note: If you are certifying, you will need to provide documentation to support your calculations and cite your emissions data sources.
Adding data to the Custom CO2 tab
1. Facility
Select the facility or location that the emissions relate to.
2. Description
Provide a short description of what was measured, for example:
Recycled aluminum LCA
FedEx shipping emissions
Compostable waste calculation
Supplier-provided product footprint
3. GHG Protocol Scope & Category
Select the appropriate GHG Protocol Scope and category where these emissions belong. Examples include:
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3.1 Purchased Goods & Services
Scope 3.4 Upstream Transportation
Scope 3.5 Waste
Scope 3.9 Downstream Transportation
4. Emissions Category
Select the category that best describes what generated the emissions. Choose the option that most closely reflects the activity or material being measured. If an exact match isn't available, select the closest applicable category. For example:
Packaging → Consumer Goods and Services | Paper Products
Apparel materials → Consumer Goods and Services | Clothing and Footwear or Textiles
Shipping → Transport | Road Freight, Air Freight, etc.
Cloud computing → Information and Communication | Cloud Computing
5. CO2 Total (metric tonnes CO2e)
Enter ONLY the final calculated emissions total in metric tonnes (tCO2e). Many reports show kg CO2e, so make sure to convert to tonnes (divide by 1000). This value should already have been calculated outside of the BEE.
Do not enter:
An emission factor
Material weight
Spend
kilograms, pounds, or another unit of CO2e besides metric tonnes
6. Footprint Affected
This field tells the BEE which emissions inventory the Custom CO2 entry should be applied to.
For most Custom CO2 entries, simply select “Both”. This is the correct option for all Scope 1 emissions and most Scope 3 categories.
There are a few exceptions for Scope 2, Scope 3.1, and Scope 3.3, where you may instead report separate Location-based and Market-based emissions. This is only needed when reporting emissions affected by contractual instruments such as:
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
ZEMBA purchases
Other market-based instruments
If you enter a market-based total, you should enter (or have other data in the BEE) to reflect the location-based total.
7. Related Documentation (Required for Certifying Brands)
Every Custom CO2 entry must include supporting documentation. In the “Related Documentation” field, include a link or reference to the supporting documentation you've uploaded to your Supporting Documents folder.
Supporting documentation should include:
The original report, LCA, or emissions data source
Calculations, including:
the inputs used
any emission factors applied
unit conversions (if applicable)
the final emissions total entered into the BEE
Citations or links to any external data sources
This documentation allows our team to verify your calculation and provides a clear record for future certification cycles.
Example entries:
"See Supporting Documents: Product LCA 2025.pdf"
"See Supporting Documents: Recycled Aluminum Calculation.xlsx"
"See Supporting Documents: FedEx Shipping Emissions 2025"
Remember: The BEE stores the final emissions value, not the underlying calculation or emission factor. Your supporting documentation is the record of how that value was calculated.
8. Sync Your Workbook
After syncing your workbook, the BEE automatically places your Custom CO2 entry into the appropriate scope/category totals, and you'll see it reflected in data visualizations and tables as an emissions contributor. You do not need to enter the same data elsewhere in the workbook (doing so will result in double counting).