A guide to calculating GHG emissions and driving continual improvement

Establishing your Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions baseline is a critical step for businesses that want to develop and demonstrate their sustainability credentials. It gives you the insight you need to mange impacts and drive decarbonisation. The exercise is a key milestone in embedding responsible practice and will help meet the demands of stakeholders, be it regulators, customers or investors. 

So, how do you get started? At Wylde Connections we understand that many companies lack the skills and confidence to begin measuring their carbon footprint. We have stepped by launching a series of articles to help you on your way. From clarifying what greenhouse gases are and the role within climate systems to explaining how to lay the foundations for a robust emissions baseline, we are taking a deep dive into the world of GHG calculations.

What we have learnt so far

In our first article we got back to basics explaining why reducing greenhouse gases holds the key to addressing climate change. We focused on how these atmospheric gases trap heat and regulate the Earth’s temperature, making the planet habitable. While this natural greenhouse effect is essential for life, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have significantly increased the concentration of GHGs. This has intensified global warming, disrupted climate systems, and contributed to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and long-term environmental instability.

The next article we introduced the concept of GHG baselines and how they are the first step for businesses wanting to reduce their environmental footprint. We outlined the importance of establishing a GHG emissions baseline as the basis of a carbon reduction strategy. We used the analogy of drawing a line in the sand and using the benchmarking exercise to understand your starting point. It defines where your business currently stands in terms of emissions and serves as the reference against which improvements, reductions, and successes can be tracked. 

Read our third article to learn how to start the exercise. We explore the importance of setting clear boundaries, selecting an appropriate baseline year, and identifying emission sources across Scopes 1, 2, and 3. Accurate data gathering across departments and supply chains is critical to building a robust emissions inventory. By understanding where emissions arise, businesses can meet compliance requirements, respond to stakeholder expectations, and identify real opportunities to reduce their impact and support decarbonisation.

Next steps

In the final instalment of our series, we will guide you through the process of calculating emissions. Once your baseline is established, you have drawn your line in the sand and can measure and monitor emissions reduction. It is important that you measure and report on your progress in a transparent way. Now is the time to commit to a continually improving the quantity and quality of the data you gather. This is key to delving deep into your impacts and getting the information you need to identify hotspots and design interventions.

Calculations 

Once scoping is complete and the relevant data has been gathered, the next step is to convert that raw activity data into greenhouse gas emissions using recognised emissions factors. These factors, published annually by DEFRA, represent the average emissions associated with specific activities. This includes for example, kilograms of CO₂eemitted per kilowatt hour of electricity used, or per litre of diesel consumed.

CO₂e, or carbon dioxide equivalent, is a standard unit that expresses the impact of all greenhouse gases in terms of the equivalent amount of CO₂. Since gases like methane and nitrous oxide are more potent than CO₂, converting them into CO₂e allows businesses to combine and compare emissions accurately. This ensures consistent reporting, clearer insights, and a reliable basis for tracking and reducing emissions.

Using a dedicated calculations platform is critical to accurately measuring your GHG baseline. These tools apply up-to-date emissions factors to your raw data, automate complex calculations, and ensure your results are consistent, auditable, and aligned with recognised standards. The right platform should suit the size and complexity of your organisation, offer flexibility across all scopes, and provide clear, actionable outputs to inform your reporting and reduction strategy.

The result is a detailed emissions inventory for your chosen baseline year, broken down by activity and emissions source. This process not only quantifies your footprint but also highlights emissions hotspots and enables year-on-year comparisons. With this information, you can meet reporting obligations, inform their carbon reduction strategy, and demonstrate progress to stakeholders with transparency and confidence.

Review and improve

Establishing a baseline gives you your starting point but the work does not end there. Businesses operate in dynamic environments where operational changes, supply chain adjustments, or expansions can significantly alter emissions profiles over time. Regularly reviewing your GHG emissions calculations ensures that your data remains current, relevant, and reflective of actual business activities. It also allows you to assess progress against targets and adjust strategies in line with evolving regulatory and stakeholder expectations.

Continuous improvement involves revisiting the quality and completeness of your emissions data. This includes engaging more deeply with suppliers to improve the accuracy of Scope 3 inputs, refining internal data collection processes, and updating emissions factors annually using the latest published sources. Businesses should also assess the tools and platforms used for calculations, ensuring they align with best practice and remain fit for purpose as your organisation grows or diversifies. Periodic re-baselining may also be necessary if significant changes occur that affect the integrity of the original baseline year.

By embedding regular review cycles into your carbon management strategy, you can ensure more reliable reporting and more informed decision making. Over time, a culture of continuous improvement in emissions management supports not just compliance, but long-term value creation through operational efficiency, reputational gains, and trust amongst stakeholders.

Trusted partner

Do you need support getting started? Wylde Connections helps businesses in establishing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline by offering a structured, expert-led approach tailored to your specific needs. Our team will guide you through the entire process, from scoping and data collection to analysis and reporting. With this insight you can set decarbonisation targets, track performance, and meet compliance requirements.

Our support is particularly valuable for businesses navigating supply chain expectations or positioning themselves for procurement with sustainability-conscious clients. Through bespoke workshops, strategic consultancy, and tailored reporting, we will help you understand your impacts. Through ongoing consultancy support we will then help you develop a robust carbon reduction plan and embed sustainable practice throughout your value chain. Visit www.wyldeconnections.co.uk or book a Discovery Call today.