Carbon Calculator

The NSBA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Calculator is a free tool designed to help Saskatchewan businesses measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions. It calculates:

Scope 1 emissions:

• Direct emissions from fuels used in vehicles, machinery, boilers, and generators.

Scope 2 emissions:

• Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, or heat.

The calculator follows the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and uses emission factors from the sources identified in #8 below. 

Please note: The calculator is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Results are based on user-provided data and standard emission factors. The NSBA does not assume responsibility for how results are interpreted or used in decision-making or public reporting.

Versioning note:

This version of the calculator reflects the most current emission factors and methodology available at the time of release. Users should reference the version date in their reports. NSBA plans to review and update the calculator approximately every four to five years, or sooner if major changes occur.

The calculator currently excludes Scope 3 emissions (such as business travel, commuting, supply chain, and waste). Scope 3 is excluded because it requires complex data collection and assumptions. These may be added in future versions once users are familiar with Scopes 1 and 2 emission quantification.

Before starting, gather activity data for your chosen reporting period (e.g., fiscal year)which is essential for calculating Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions: 

Scope 1 – Direct Emissions

These come from fuels and refrigerants your organization uses directly:

• Natural gas consumption (m³): For heating or stationary equipment.
• Diesel, gasoline, or propane use (L): For company-owned vehicles, machinery, or generators.
• Refrigerant usage or top-ups (kg): For air conditioning or refrigeration systems.

Scope 2 – Indirect Emissions

These result from purchased energy:

• Electricity use (kWh): For all facilities and operations.

Optional Data

• Revenue or production data: Useful for calculating emission intensity (e.g., tonnes CO₂e per $ revenue or per unit of output).

To begin using the NSBA GHG Calculator:

1. Start with the “Facility Details” tab
   • Enter your organization name, reporting period (e.g., fiscal year), and details for your facilities. This version allows you to capture details for up to six years and five facilities.

2. Enter activity data in the following tabs:
   • Stationary Combustion: Natural gas and propane used for heating or equipment.
   • Mobile Combustion: Diesel and gasoline used in company-owned vehicles or machinery.
   • Refrigerants: Any refrigerant additions or top-ups (kg).
   • Electricity: Total electricity consumption (kWh) for each facility.

Before saving, double-check that fuel types and units (e.g., L, m³, kWh) are entered correctly. Ensure all data aligns with your chosen reporting period. Accurate units and complete data entry are critical for reliable GHG estimates.

AR5 and AR6 refer to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Reports, which provide the global warming potential (GWP) of greenhouse gases. GWP’s are used to assess all independent and unique gases as one value or single comparable unit: Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e). For example, CO2 or carbon dioxide has a GWP of 1 as that is the equivalent benchmark and other gases are measured against it. However, N2O or Nitrous Oxide has a GWP of 273 (AR6) which is applied against quantified emissions from N20 to convert into CO2e. 

• AR5 (2013–2014) is older.
• AR6 (2021–2023) reflects the most current science.

Use AR6 for 2025 and beyond, as it aligns with the latest international frameworks including ISSB, TCFD, and SBTi.

The calculator is optimized for small and medium-sized businesses.

• The calculator is optimized for small and medium-sized businesses.
• The five-facility limit ensures smooth Excel performance and was originally based on entities surveyed in the province.
  • If more facilities are required, please reference #7 below and the calculator manual for guidance.
• The six-year window allows trend analysis while keeping emission factors current and relevant.

If your company has more than five facilities, group similar facilities together (for example, multiple retail stores or warehouses under one “facility type”).
This keeps the calculator simple and manageable while maintaining complete coverage of your emissions data.

When grouping, make sure:

• Facilities are similar in function and energy use.
• Facilities operate in the same province.
• You aggregate activity data accurately (e.g. sum fuel and electricity consumption for all grouped sites).

Document your grouping method for transparency and for future calculations or revisions.

Emission factors (the amount of CO₂e released per unit of activity) are sourced from credible, publicly available sources to ensure accuracy and consistency, including:

• U.S. EPA GHG Emission Factors Hub (2024)
• WRI GHG Protocol Cross-Sector Tools (2014)
• Canada’s National Inventory Report (1990–2022, Part III)
• Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) (2023)
  • Specific to Global Warming Potentials or GWP’s (AR5 and AR6) – see #5 above for more details

The calculator automatically applies the appropriate emission factor for each activity type (fuels, electricity, refrigerants, etc.) based on these sources. Users do not need to select or prioritize between sources, all sources listed are considered valid and reviewed regularly for accuracy.

Record any refrigerant additions or top-ups (e.g., R-22, HFC-134a) and any industrial gases used (e.g., nitrous oxide) during your reporting period. These substances often have high global warming potentials (GWPs), so accurate tracking is critical. 

The calculator automatically applies the correct GWP based on your AR5 or AR6 selection. 

Best practices:

• If multiple gases are used, record each separately.
• Use the exact gas name from service records or equipment labels.
• Avoid estimates - precision matters for accurate emissions reporting.

If your organization did not record refrigerant top-ups or industrial gas usage during the reporting period:

• Check service records or maintenance invoices for any refrigerant additions.
• If no data is available, document the gap and note that emissions from refrigerants were not included.
• Avoid guessing or using generic estimates unless supported by credible sources. Transparency is better than inaccurate data.

Note: Industrial Gas Data or Refrigerants are not common in all operations; if you are searching too hard for the use, then it might not exist, which is probable. However, if you work in an industry where these are common, then accurate reporting is crucial due to their high potential impact on reported balances.

If exact quantities are unavailable:

• Whenever possible, implement a process to track refrigerant usage going forward to improve accuracy in future reporting.
• Use manufacturer specifications or equipment capacity as a reference for potential refrigerant charge.
• Apply conservative assumptions only if necessary and clearly disclose them in your calculations/report.

If you don’t track fuel use by individual vehicles, you can enter total fuel purchases for your fleet, site, or project under “Mobile Combustion – Fuel Use”. 

If you only have mileage data, use the Distance Activity method instead. Do not enter both fuel and distance for the same vehicles, as this would double-count emissions.

Electricity’s carbon intensity varies by province because each grid uses different energy sources. For example:

• Saskatchewan’s grid emits about 0.72 kg CO₂e per kWh
• Manitoba’s grid emits about 0.02 kg CO₂e per kWh

Selecting the correct province ensures the calculator applies the correct emission factor from the latest Canada NIR dataset. This improves accuracy and aligns with recognized reporting standards.

Emission intensity measures how many tonnes of CO₂e are emitted in your organization per $1 million in revenue. It helps organizations track efficiency improvements over time, even as business activity grows. Lower emission intensity indicates better performance relative to economic output.

No. The calculator is intentionally locked to ensure consistency and comparability across organizations.

If your organization requires additional customization, consult a sustainability professional before making any structural changes.

On-site or solar generation: Report only net purchased electricity from your utility bill (exclude self-generated power).

U.S. or out-of-province sites: You can group them under a separate facility type or calculate emissions using regional emission factors equivalent to those in the Canada NIR dataset.

Check that all entries use the correct units (L, m³, kWh).

• Ensure facility details and province information are complete.
• If results appear unusual, double-check your data for accuracy. 
• For unresolved issues, contact the NSBA Sustainability Team at sustainability@nsbasask.com for assistance.

Yes, we plan to review and update the calculator periodically to reflect the latest emission factors and methodologies. 

The current version reflects the most recent and up-to-date emission factors and methodologies available at the time of release. For now, please reference the version date and emission factor sources in your reports. NSBA will review and update the calculator approximately every four to five years, or sooner if major dataset or methodology changes occur.

No. The calculator helps you measure your emissions, which is an essential first step toward net zero or carbon neutrality. Achieving net zero or carbon neutrality requires setting reduction targets, implementing actions to reduce emissions, and offsetting remaining emissions through credible mechanisms (such as verified carbon credits or certified removal projects).

The Results Summary tab automatically compiles all emissions data and provides a consolidated view of your emissions. 

It shows total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by facility, by source (stationary combustion, mobile combustion, refrigerants, and electricity), and by fiscal year.

The tab also calculates emission intensity — total emissions per $1 million of revenue — to help you track efficiency and progress over time. 

This information can be used to identify key emission sources, compare year-over-year performance, and support internal reporting and sustainability planning.

No. All data entered remain local to your device. NSBA does not collect, store, or access member data unless you voluntarily share it for benchmarking or recognition purposes.

NSBA will host a workshop where you can ask questions and later provide the recorded training session available on the NSBA website.For assistance or questions, please contact the NSBA Sustainability Team at sustainability@nsbasask.com