CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) helps us measure the total greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by an activity or product. It takes gases like methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) and converts their impact into the same unit as CO₂, based on how much they contribute to global warming.
To calculate CO₂e emissions, we use emission factors, which tell us how much GHG is produced per unit of activity (like per kilometer traveled or per kilowatt-hour of energy used). These factors are developed by experts from organizations like the IPCC and ICCT, who research emissions in industries such as transportation, energy, and agriculture. Their ongoing research helps continuously refine and standardize emission factors, and ensure that emission calculations are accurate and specific to different sectors, making carbon footprint estimates more reliable.