Emission Reduction

Free Emission Reduction calculator with clear step-by-step results.

About Emission Reduction

A reduction claim needs two numbers, not one: a baseline and a current figure. The absolute reduction is the difference, and the percentage is that difference over the baseline. Intensity tells a different and equally important story — emissions per unit of output can fall while absolute emissions rise if the business grows, which is why science-based targets are set on absolute emissions and intensity is reported alongside rather than instead.

Formulas

Absolute and relative

Reduction = baseline − current; % reduction = reduction ÷ baseline × 100

Intensity

Intensity = emissions ÷ output; intensity reduction % = (baseline intensity − current intensity) ÷ baseline intensity × 100

Worked example

With the default values below, Emission Reduction returns Absolute Reduction Achieved of 270.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Baseline emissionsminimum 0 t CO₂e: 1,200 t CO₂e
Current emissionsminimum 0 t CO₂e: 930 t CO₂e
Baseline activity or outputminimum 0.01 units: 100 units
Current activity or outputminimum 0.01 units: 110 units
Reduction targetaccepts 0–100 %: 42 %

Results

Absolute Reduction Achieved: 270.00 t CO₂e
Reduction Against Baseline: 22.50%
Intensity Reduction per Unit of Output: 29.55%
Still to Cut to Reach the Target: 234.00 t CO₂e

Step by step

1Values used
2Absolute and relative
3Intensity
4Absolute Reduction Achieved= 270.00 t CO₂e
5Reduction Against Baseline= 22.50
6Intensity Reduction per Unit of Output= 29.55
7Still to Cut to Reach the Target= 234.00 t CO₂e

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 5 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Emissions accounting, baseline recalculation and target-setting follow prescribed protocols such as the GHG Protocol and SBTi criteria. Reported or assured figures require the applicable methodology and, usually, third-party verification.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Emissions accounting, baseline recalculation and target-setting follow prescribed protocols such as the GHG Protocol and SBTi criteria. Reported or assured figures require the applicable methodology and, usually, third-party verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolute or intensity reduction — which counts?

The atmosphere responds to absolute tonnes, so that is the figure targets are set against. Intensity is useful for showing operational improvement and for comparing sites of different sizes, but growth can hide a rising absolute total behind a falling intensity.

How should the baseline year be chosen?

A representative recent year with complete, verifiable data — not an unusually high one. Recalculate the baseline after acquisitions, divestments or methodology changes so the comparison stays like for like.

Do offsets count as a reduction?

Not in this calculation, and not under most reporting standards. Purchased offsets are reported separately from gross reductions in your own operations and value chain.