Greenhouse gas conversion factors are used to calculate the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy use.
They are measured in units of kg carbon dioxide equivalent**. In
order to convert 'energy consumed in kWh' to 'kg of carbon dioxide
equivalent', the energy use should be multiplied by a conversion
factor.
Example
To convert from litres of petrol to kgCO2e emissions
multiply by 2.331, so for example:
200 litres petrol = 200 x 2.331 = 466.2 kgCO2e
Carbon emissions are usually quoted in kgCO2/kWh. If you wish to
convert the carbon dioxide factors into carbon (ie kgC/kWh),
multiply the figure by 12 and divide by 44.
Defra published updated conversion factors for 2011 -
see: Defra
- Measuring and reporting environmental impacts
Our publication Conversion
factors - Energy and carbon conversion (CTL153) contains
these factors along with a spreadsheet to enter your usage and
calculate carbon emissions.
Download Conversion factors
(CTL153)