This carbon calculator applies the methodology of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) developed by the World Resources Institute. The Australian coefficients were drawn from the Australian Greenhouse Office Factors and Methods Workbook, December 2006 with Scope Emission Factors chosen to conform with the GHG Protocol. Fiji and New Guinea Emission Factors are estimates based upon best information available for those countries.
Where State based emissions factors were unavailable, national emissions factors have been applied. Emission factors associated with air travel were provided by ICF (an international consultancy), and drawn from the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Other sources include: Commonwealth of Australia, 2006, Global Warming, cool it - A home guide to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases, Department of the Environment & Water Resources, Australian Greenhouse Office.
This calculator has chosen Emission Factors which report carbon emission under the direct control of the user, so as to be consistent with the GHG Protocol. Some carbon footprint calculators utilise "full cycle" or life cycle emission factors. Although in some circumstances this may provide useful and valid information, the results provide for much larger carbon footprints that include emissions that may not be the direct responsibility of the energy user.
Whilst every attempt has been made to create a functionally accurate calculator, the end result also depends on the quality and accuracy of the information entered by the user. It is emphasised that the most accurate results require energy use information rather than energy cost estimates.