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Emission factor

Coefficient converting an activity (km, kWh, €) into equivalent GHG emissions. Main FR reference: ADEME Base Carbone.

An emission factor is a coefficient that expresses, for a unit of activity (a km travelled, a kWh consumed, a euro spent, a tonne produced), the equivalent quantity of greenhouse gas emitted. It is expressed in kg CO₂e or g CO₂e per unit of activity, and is the pivot of any carbon footprint calculation.

Main emission factor databases include ADEME Base Carbone (France), DEFRA UK Government GHG Conversion Factors (UK), EPA Emission Factors (USA) and Ecoinvent (product LCA). Each factor comes with an uncertainty value, a geographical scope and a reference year.

Kabaun automatically applies the most relevant factor based on the imported activity data and the entity geography, and tracks the exact version used on every emission line for full audit traceability.

Related terms

ADEME
French ecological transition agency. Publishes the reference emission factors (Base Carbone) used for carbon accounting.
tCO₂e
Tonne of CO₂ equivalent: universal unit converting the climate impact of all GHGs (methane, N₂O, HFCs) into CO₂ equivalent.
Carbon footprint
Comprehensive measurement of an organisation's GHG emissions over a given period, expressed in tCO₂e. Covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
GHG Protocol
International GHG accounting standard, published by WRI and WBCSD. Foundation of the vast majority of carbon footprints worldwide.

Need more than a definition?

Kabaun computes your carbon footprint from these very terms: Scopes 1, 2, 3, CSRD or BEGES compliance, SBTi-aligned reduction plan.

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