Carbon Equivalent Calculator

Carbon Equivalent (CO2e) Calculator

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Nitrous Oxide (N2O) HFC-134a (Refrigerant) Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)

Metric Tons (t) Kilograms (kg) Pounds (lbs)

Calculated Carbon Footprint

The Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) is:

Based on AR5 Global Warming Potential (GWP) values over a 100-year horizon.

function calculateCO2e() { var gwp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gasType').value); var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('massAmount').value); var unitMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('massUnit').value); var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox'); var output = document.getElementById('co2eOutput'); if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) { alert('Please enter a valid amount greater than zero.'); return; } // Calculation: Mass * Conversion Factor to Tons * Global Warming Potential var co2e = amount * unitMultiplier * gwp; output.innerHTML = co2e.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 4}) + ' Metric Tons CO₂e'; resultBox.style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Carbon Equivalent (CO2e)

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, or CO2e, is a standard unit for measuring carbon footprints. The concept is used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases (GHGs) based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP). Since different gases trap different amounts of heat in the atmosphere, we convert them into a common scale: the amount of CO2 that would produce the same warming effect.

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) Scale

Carbon dioxide is assigned a GWP of 1. Other gases are measured relative to it:

• Methane (CH4): Has a GWP of approximately 28. This means 1 ton of methane is as potent as 28 tons of CO2 over a 100-year period.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Found in fertilizers and industrial processes, it has a GWP of 265.
• Fluorinated Gases (F-gases): Often used in refrigeration (like SF6), these can have GWP values in the tens of thousands.

Calculation Example

If a farm leaks 5 kilograms of Methane (CH4), the calculation to find the carbon equivalent in Metric Tons would be:

1. Convert Kilograms to Metric Tons: 5 kg = 0.005 t.
2. Multiply by Methane's GWP (28): 0.005 × 28 = 0.14 Metric Tons CO2e.

Why Use This Calculator?

Using a CO2e calculator is essential for businesses and individuals aiming for Net Zero. It allows for a holistic view of environmental impact beyond just fuel consumption. By identifying high-GWP gas leakage (like refrigerants), organizations can prioritize repairs that offer the highest "bang for the buck" in carbon reduction.

Note: This calculator uses standard 100-year GWP values from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Some modern frameworks may use AR6 values which vary slightly (e.g., Methane GWP 27.9-29.8).