Business Carbon Footprint Calculator
Scope 1 — Direct Emissions
Scope 2 — Indirect Energy
Scope 3 — Value Chain
Your Business Carbon Footprint
Scope 1 (Direct)-
Scope 2 (Electricity)-
Scope 3 (Travel/Value Chain)-
Total CO&sub2;e-
Per Employee-
Carbon Offset Cost (est.)-
DEFRA Emission Factors 2025/26
| Source | Factor | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| UK Grid Electricity | 0.207 | kg CO&sub2;e / kWh |
| Natural Gas | 0.183 | kg CO&sub2;e / kWh |
| Diesel | 2.514 | kg CO&sub2;e / litre |
| Petrol | 2.097 | kg CO&sub2;e / litre |
| Average Car | 0.171 | kg CO&sub2;e / km |
| Short-haul Flight | 0.153 | kg CO&sub2;e / passenger-km |
Source: DEFRA/BEIS UK Government GHG Conversion Factors. Updated annually.
Carbon Reduction Targets
UK Net Zero
2050
78% Reduction
By 2035
SBTi Target
-4.2%/year
How to Use This Calculator
1
Enter Scope 1 data
Input your natural gas consumption and fleet fuel usage. These are your direct emissions from sources you own or control.
2
Enter Scope 2 data
Input your annual electricity consumption in kWh. This is your purchased electricity emissions.
3
Enter Scope 3 data
Input business travel by car, flights, and employee count for commuting estimates.
4
Review your footprint
The calculator shows total emissions, per-employee intensity, and estimated offset cost using DEFRA factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (gas boilers, company vehicles). Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating and cooling. Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions in the value chain (business travel, commuting, procurement, waste). For most businesses, Scope 3 represents 70-90% of total emissions.
Is carbon reporting mandatory in the UK?
Large UK companies (quoted companies, large unquoted, and LLPs meeting size criteria) must report under Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR). From April 2022, TCFD-aligned disclosures are mandatory for the largest UK companies. SMEs are not currently required to report but face increasing pressure from customers and supply chains.
How much does carbon offsetting cost?
UK carbon offset prices range from £5-£30 per tonne of CO2e depending on the project type and verification standard. Gold Standard and Verra-certified offsets typically cost £10-£25/tonne. However, offsetting should be a last resort after reducing emissions through efficiency measures and renewable energy.
What is a Science Based Target?
Science Based Targets (SBTs) are emissions reduction targets consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Companies commit to reducing emissions by approximately 4.2% per year across Scopes 1 and 2, and to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions. Over 4,000 companies globally have committed to SBTi.
How can my business reduce its carbon footprint?
Priority actions include: switching to renewable electricity (biggest single impact), improving building energy efficiency, transitioning to electric vehicles, reducing business travel, implementing hybrid working policies, choosing low-carbon suppliers, reducing waste, and engaging employees in carbon reduction. Most businesses can achieve 20-40% reduction through efficiency alone.
What is the average carbon footprint per UK employee?
The average UK business carbon footprint is approximately 3-5 tonnes of CO2e per employee per year for office-based businesses. Manufacturing and logistics businesses can be significantly higher. Best-in-class companies achieve under 2 tonnes per employee through renewable energy, efficient buildings, and reduced travel.
Official Sources & References
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.