Greenhouse Gas Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the greenhouse gas calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Greenhouse Gas Calculator

Formulas Used

Total CO2 Equivalent

total_co2e = co2_tons + ch4_co2e + n2o_co2e

Methane as CO2e

ch4_share = ch4_co2e

N2O as CO2e

n2o_share = n2o_co2e

Non-CO2 Share

pct_non_co2 = (ch4_co2e + n2o_co2e) / (co2_tons + ch4_co2e + n2o_co2e) * 100

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
co2_tonsCO2 Emissions(metric tons)100
ch4_tonsMethane (CH4) Emissions(metric tons)5
n2o_tonsNitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions(metric tons)1
ch4_co2eDerived value= ch4_tons * 28calculated
n2o_co2eDerived value= n2o_tons * 265calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Greenhouse Gas Equivalents

Different greenhouse gases have different warming potentials. Converting to CO2-equivalent (CO2e) allows comparison.

Global Warming Potentials (GWP-100)

  • CO2: 1x (baseline)
  • Methane (CH4): 28x
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O): 265x

    • Formula

    Total CO2e = CO2 + (CH4 * 28) + (N2O * 265)

    Worked Example

    A facility emits 100 tons CO2, 5 tons CH4, and 1 ton N2O per year.

    co2_tons = 100ch4_tons = 5n2o_tons = 1
    1. 01CO2 contribution: 100 metric tons CO2e
    2. 02Methane: 5 * 28 = 140 metric tons CO2e
    3. 03Nitrous oxide: 1 * 265 = 265 metric tons CO2e
    4. 04Total: 100 + 140 + 265 = 505 metric tons CO2e
    5. 05Non-CO2 share: (140 + 265) / 505 * 100 = 80.2%

    Ready to run the numbers?

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