Emissions Forecasts

You can forecast emissions based on your past and present emissions and predict how your business will grow in the future. Generate forecasts for your emissions based on your carbon footprint information and emissions commitment and targets for a defined period. Create formulas to calculate your forecasts per the requirements of your company.

Emissions activities are the emissions generating activities mapped to the greenhouse gas categories that are used to aggregate emissions.

There will be multiple emissions activities seeded in the forecast set.

Measures are the values used to calculate the emissions forecasts.

See Measures, Types, and Their Calculation Methods in Measure Types.

Business metrics are the measures that form the basis of forecasting.

See Emissions Activity and Business Metrics in Measure Types.

Emissions forecasting calculations are performed for all emissions activities. At the lowest level of emissions activity, calculations are performed considering forecasting formulae. At higher levels (Scope 1, 2 or 3 and All Emissions), forecasting is performed by aggregating forecasts of the constituent emissions activity. For more information about emissions activities, see Emissions Activities and Their Emissions Scope Categories.

• Emission calculations for lowest level emissions activities

  Emissions forecasting for lowest level emissions activities is based on the business metric value you provide. You must upload the business metric measures before performing emissions forecasting. For each emissions activity, we calculate:

  • Target data: If an emissions activity has a target defined for a year, you must retrieve that information based on the related Annual Emissions Reduction Target records.

    • Target Emissions (tCo2e) (TargetEmissions)

      Input Fields

      • Emissions Forecast Fact (EmissionsForecastFact)

      • Emissions Reduction Target (EmssnReductionTarget)

        • Target Type (TargetType)

      • Annual Emissions Reduction Target (AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget)

      Calculations

      If EmssnReductionTarget.Target Type = “Emission Reduction”

      then EmissionsForecastFact.Target Emissions (tCo2e) = AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget.Target Emissions (tCo2e)

    • Target Compensated Emissions (tCo2e) (TargetCompensatedEmissions)

      Input Fields

      • Emissions Forecast Fact (EmissionsForecastFact)

      • Emissions Reduction Target (EmssnReductionTarget)

        • Target Type (TargetType)

      • Annual Emissions Reduction Target (AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget)

      Calculations

      If EmssnReductionTarget.Target Type = “Net Zero Emissions”

      then EmissionsForecastFact.Target Compensated Emissions (tCo2e) = AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget.Target Emissions (tCo2e)

    • Target Renewable Energy Percentage (TargetRenewableEnergyPct)

      Input Fields

      • Emissions Forecast Fact (EmissionsForecastFact)

      • Emissions Reduction Target (EmssnReductionTarget)

        • Other Target KPI (OtherTargetKpi)
        • Target Type (TargetType)

      • Annual Emissions Reduction Target (AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget)

      Calculations

      If EmssnReductionTarget.Target Type = “Custom” and EmssnReductionTarget.Other Target KPI = “Renewable Energy Electricity Percentage”

      then EmissionsForecastFact.Target Renewable Energy Percentage = AnnualEmssnRdctnTarget.Target Emissions (tCo2e)

      This value is used only for Scope 2 Stationary Assets - Commercial Building and Scope2 Scope 2 Stationary Assets - Data Center emissions activities.

  • Actual data: To calculate emissions forecasts, you must have the actual emissions data from past years retrieved from the Annual Emissions Inventory records.

    Here’s a list of emissions activities and their related values from the Emissions Forecast Fact and Annual Emissions Inventory records:

    Input Fields

    • Emissions Forecast Fact (EmissionsForecastFact)
    • Annual Emissions Inventory (AnnualEmssnInventory)

    Emissions Activity	Annual Emissions Inventory	Actual Emissions Intensity
    All Emissions	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Total Emissions (tCO2e)
    Scope 1	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Total Scope 1 Emissions (tCO2e)
    Scope 2	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Total Scope 2 Emissions (tCO2e)
    Scope 3	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Total Scope 3 Emissions (tCO2e)
    Scope 1 Stationary Assets - Commercial Building	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 1 Emissions from Commercial Buildings (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Total Floor Area (sqft)
    Scope 1 Stationary Assets - Data Center	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 1 Emissions from Data Centers (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 1 Vehicle Assets - Fleet Vehicles	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 1 Emissions from Fleet Vehicles (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 1 Vehicle Assets - Private Jet	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 1 Emissions from Private Jets (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 2 Stationary Assets - Commercial Building	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 2 Location-Based Emissions from Commercial Buildings (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions/Total Floor Area (sqft)
    Scope 2 Stationary Assets - Data Center	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 2 Location-Based Emissions from Data Centers (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions/Revenue
    Scope 2 Vehicle Assets - Fleet Vehicles	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 2 Emissions from Fleet Vehicles (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 2 Vehicle Assets - Private Jet	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 2 Emissions from Private Jets (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Stationary Assets - Commercial Building	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Commercial Buildings (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Total Floor Area (sqft)
    Scope 3 Stationary Assets - Data Center	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Data Centers (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Vehicle Assets - Fleet Vehicles	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Fleet Vehicles (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Vehicle Assets - Private Jet	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Private Jets (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Business Travel	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Business Travel (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Capital Goods	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Capital Goods (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Downstream Leased Assets	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Downstream Leased Assets (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Downstream Transportation Distribution	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Downstream Transportation and Distribution (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 End-Life Treatment of Sold Product	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Use of Sold Products (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Franchising	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Franchises (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Fuel and Energy-Related Activity	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Fuel and Energy-Related Activity	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Investments	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Investments (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Processing Sold Products	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Processing of Sold Products (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Purchased Goods Services	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Purchased Goods and Services (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Spend
    Scope 3 Upstream Leased Assets	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Upstream Leased Assets (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Upstream Transportation Distribution	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Upstream Transportation and Distribution(tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Use of Sold Products	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Uncategorized Emissions	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Uncategorized Emissions (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Waste Generated in Operations	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Waste Generated in Operations (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Revenue
    Scope 3 Employee Commuting	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCO2e) = AnnualEmssnInventory.Scope 3 Emissions from Employee Computing (tCO2e)	EmissionsForecastFact.Actual Emissions (tCo2e)/Employee Count

  • Emissions forecast: Based on the measures corresponding to the business metrics and the actual data, forecasts are calculated for future years based on intensity.

    Calculation

    Intensity = Actual emissions/Business metric

    Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = Business metric for the future year * Intensity

    For example, for Scope 3 Business Travel emissions activity:

    • If actual emissions for 2021 = 100 tCO2e and the revenue business metric = 1000

      Intensity in terms of revenue = 100/1000 = 0.1.

      Intensity is always determined based on the previous year’s actual measures.

    • If the revenue in 2026 = 2000

      Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = 2000*0.1 = 200 tCO2e

• Emissions forecasts for higher-level emissions activities

  Emissions forecasting for higher-level emissions activities, such as Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3 and All Emissions, the Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) is the sum of the Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) of the lower-level emissions activities.

  For example, the Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) for Scope 1 emissions activity is the sum of Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) of all the emissions activities where Emissions Scope Category = Scope 1.

You can adjust the final forecasted emissions value for an emissions activity by entering a value for Forecasted Emissions Intensity Reduction Percentage as:

Calculation

Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = (100 - Forecasted Emissions Intensity Reduction Percentage)% * Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e)

For example, if Forecasted Emissions Intensity Reduction Percentage for the year 2026 = 40%

then Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) in 2026 = (100-40)% * 200 = 120 tCO2e

If Emissions Activity = All Emissions

then Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e)= Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e)

You can adjust the final forecasted emissions for an emissions activity by entering values for Planned Operational Emissions Reduction (tCO2e) and Planned Supplier Emissions Reduction (tCO2e) to include values from emissions reduction programs either within your company or in your company’s supply chain as:

Calculation

Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) - Planned Operational Emissions Reduction (tCO2e) - Planned Supplier Emissions Reduction (tCO2e)

For example, if Planned Operational Emissions Reduction (tCO2e) for the year 2026 = 20 and Planned Supplier Emissions Reduction (tCO2e) for the year 2026 = 30

then Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = 120- 20 -30 = 70 tCO2e

If Emissions Activity = All Emissions

then Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e)= Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e)

You can manually override the final forecasted emissions value for an emissions activity by entering a value for Forecasted Emissions Override (tCO2e)

Calculation

Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = Forecasted Emissions Override (tCO2e)

For example, if Forecasted Emissions Override (tCO2e) for 2026 = 95 tCO2e

then Final Forecasted Emissions (tCO2e) = 95 tCO2e

All other calculations, such as forecasts based on intensity reduction percentage and planned emissions reduction programs are ignored.

• Forecasted Renewable Energy Percentage (For All Scopes)

  For all relevant assets across Scope 1, 2, and 3, this value automatically defaults to the Target Renewable Energy Percentage if it is specified. You have the option to manually override this default setting.

• Forecasted Energy Consumption (For Scope 2 Assets)

  This calculation projects the total energy consumption for a future year by applying the intensity rate from the previous year to a future business metric.

  • For commercial buildings, the energy intensity from the previous year, for example, energy usage per square foot, is determined and then multiplied by the total planned floor area for the future year.
  • For data centers, the calculation follows a similar logic to commercial buildings but is based on office space. The calculation determines the energy intensity for each unit of office space and multiplies that rate by the projected office space for the future year.

• Forecasted Emissions (For Scope 2 Assets)

  The calculation for forecasting total emissions for a future year is applicable to both market-based and location-based emissions. The calculation follows this process:

  1. Determine the previous emissions rate by calculating the emissions factor from the previous year by dividing the total actual emissions with the total energy consumed.
  2. Adjust the rate for future plans by developing an adjustment factor to account for anticipated changes in the renewable energy usage for the upcoming year, which improves the accuracy of the emissions rate.
  3. Calculate the final forecast by multiplying the adjusted emissions rate (from the previous step) by the total forecasted energy consumption for the future year to obtain the final forecasted emissions value.