What is Carbon Footprint? Comprehensive Guide

Calculating Carbon Footprint: The GHG Protocol Methodology

The most widely used framework for corporate carbon footprint calculation is the GHG Protocol, developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

What Are the Three Scopes?

Scope 1 — Direct Emissions

Emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation itself. These include natural gas combustion, the vehicle fleet, production processes and fugitive emissions.

Scope 2 — Indirect Energy Emissions

Indirect emissions resulting from purchased electricity, heating or cooling. In Türkiye, emissions from electricity consumption are calculated using the national grid emission factor.

Scope 3 — Other Indirect Emissions

Emissions arising from the entire value chain. Supplier emissions, logistics, employee travel and product use are assessed under this scope.

Calculation Formula

The basic formula is: Emissions = Activity Data × Emission Factor

For example: 1,000 kWh of electricity consumption × 0.472 kg CO₂e/kWh (Türkiye grid factor) = 472 kg CO₂e of emissions.

Emission Factors

Reliable emission factor sources:

• DEFRA (UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
• IPCC AR6 (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
• EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency)
• National inventory data from Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change