A COMPARISON OF MANUFACTURING CARBON EMISSION CALCULATORS

摘要

In future markets, which use either carbon tax or cap and trade, manufacturers will need to estimate their carbon emissions, hence this paper analyzes sites that estimate CO_2 output. This comprehensive survey of carbon footprint calculators shows there does not appear to be a standard method for CO_2emission calculations. Initially, 54 websites were found, with 26 actually being useful. For electrical energy consumption, the difference between estimates for CO_2 emissions increases linearly as consumption increases, and can be a factor of at least seven when using the same input. Four business calculators were among the cases tested. These are also found to be different, with linearly increasing deviations from each other as the quantity of electrical energy consumed increases. Another finding is the number of questions asked had a partial effect on the result. This paper discusses the testing of the carbon footprint calculators and the implications for the finances of a manufacturer.