http://camdencrag.thecarbonaccount.com/
I’ve done some research on online carbon calculators and I think I’ve found us a great solution. There is a new carbon calculator being formally launched next week called The Carbon Account (developed by a company called Torchbox, who do the website for Franny’s film, so they must be good :-) ).
I’ve tried it out and it is very good. What’s even better is that they provide the ability to have your own “brand” for a group, with your own URL. So I’ve been in contact with them and they have set us up a Camden CRAG site at:
http://camdencrag.thecarbonaccount.com/
If we all use this then we can see our group average footprint as well as being able to see our own and other member’s footprints. It works off actual readings for gas and electricity use and car mileage, as well as recording flights, so will give a very accurate footprint calculation. So if everyone can log on and create an account, and enter details of readings you have available, then for the next meeting we’ll have a pretty good record of our individual and group emissions. As the group admin (carbon accountant) I can get extracts of everyone’s data in spreadsheet form. There are more details to consider when entering data, so please read on before setting up your account. Apologies for the amount of information here.
Entering readings
The site will need at least 2 readings under all categories to be able to calculate an accurate annual emissions figure. If readings are over less than a one year period then it will be extrapolated for a year, so if they only cover the winter period then you will be penalised. For example, Liz & I only moved into our flat last summer, so I only have readings for the last 8 months. Therefore if you can enter readings (actual, not estimates) that span the last 12 months then that will give you an accurate footprint.
For members of the group that live together, then you both need to enter the same readings under your own accounts; they don’t recognise shared dwellings yet. However, you enter the number of people in your household, and you then only get allocated your proportion of the emissions. So for example Liz & I will enter the same gas and electricity readings under our own accounts, and it will then allocate each of us half of the total emissions.
The system will be more accurate the more often you enter readings. We can discuss frequency we should use at the next meeting, but you can set the site to remind you via email every so often (week, month, etc) to enter readings. And as the carbon accountant I can see when you’ve entered readings, or haven’t, so I can nag you!
Electricity emissions
For electricity they look up the precise fuel mix of your supplier to calculate the emissions accurately. This means that “green” tariffs are rated accurately based on the amount of renewables in their supply. I said I’d provide details of a NCC report on Green tariffs which I’ve attached. Also, if you want to see the fuel mix of various suppliers then you can do so here: http://www.electricityinfo.org/suppliers.php (this is the same information that The Carbon Account use in their calculations).
Car mileage
A couple of points on recording car mileage:
If you are a couple that share the same car, e.g. like Liz & I, then it DOES NOT split car emissions amongst a household, therefore one of you needs to carry the carbon can for it – DO NOT both enter car mileage for the same vehicle. If you have a car each though (What?! Two cars?!!), then each enter the appropriate vehicle and mileage details
Mileage figures recorded have to be less than a year apart so it can calculate an annual emissions figure. So for example I had mileage figures from two MOTs on 1/6/06 and 1/6/07, so I entered them as 2/6/06 and 1/6/07 (and then another reading from today)
Public Transport
They don’t provide a facility to record details of public transport (or at least not yet, but they are considering doing so for trains). Apparently there is much debate amongst CRAGs about including public transport, and the general consensus is that it is ignored on the basis that it is a very small proportion of your total footprint, and domestic energy, car usage and flights are the big emitters and therefore should be focused on. I’ve attached a document that The Carbon Account sent me that covers this debate for those interested. We can discuss further at our next meeting perhaps, but in the meantime the paper-based calculator John circulated allows for public transport on a basic level for those that want to calculate it.
Water
Again an area they don’t cover at the moment, but are considering. If you do have a water meter you may want to start recording readings and I can keep details on a separate spreadsheet for the group, so we can monitor our usage. I’m still to look for a carbon emissions factor for mains water, but if I find one we’ll be able to calculate our emissions from water too.
Food
This is another area they don’t cover, as it is extremely complex. However, they (Torchbox) have done a site for WWF that includes an estimated footprint for your food consumption based on some simple questions re your eating habits. You can find it here: http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/home. Perhaps we could all complete that and bring along our estimated food emissions to the next meeting?
So I think that’s it for now. Any problems/queries on The Camden CRAG Carbon Account site then drop me a line and I’ll try and answer them. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing all your footprints appearing online over the next couple of weeks!
Rob