Source: https://www.carbonfund.org/how-we-calculate
Some interesting numbers:
- Electricity sources emit 1.222lbs CO2 per kWh (0.0005925 metric tons CO2 per kWh)
- 0.005 metric tonnes of CO2 per 1 therm of natural gas
- There are 10.15 kg of CO2 per gallon of home heating oil.
- Unleaded gasoline emits 8.91 kg of CO2 per gallon.
- CO2 emissions in air travel vary by length of flight, ranging from 0.277 kg CO2 per passenger mile to 0.185 kg CO2 per passenger mile, depending on the flight distance (long haul flights have the lower emissions per passenger mile).
- On average, commuter rail emits 0.172 kgs CO2 per passenger mile and subway trains emit 0.163 kgs CO2 per passenger mile, and long distance trains (i.e., intercity rail) emit 0.185 kgs CO2 per passenger mile. For rail trips under 20 miles, we calculate your emissions at 0.172 kgs CO2 per passenger mile, and over 20 miles we calculate at 0.185 kgs CO2 per passenger mile.
- On average, bus trips emit 0.107 kgs CO2 per passenger mile. Road and transportation conditions vary in real life beyond what can be estimated.
- Emissions associated with a one night stay in a hotel room are calculated at 16.8 kg CO2 per room day for an average hotel (budget through mid-scale). For upscale hotels, that include restaurants, meal service and meeting space, emissions are calculated at 33.38 kg CO2 per room day.
- The average person's diet contributes 2,545 kilograms CO2e to the atmosphere each year. By dividing by 365, it is deduced that the average person's diet contributes, on average, 7 kg CO2e a day from their meals. This calculation is based on an average US, non-vegetarian diet. The emissions for food preparation are not included in this calculation.
- Air cargo – 1.527 kg CO2 per Ton-Mile
- Truck– 0.297 kg CO2 per Ton-Mile
- Train – 0.0252 kg CO2 per Ton-Mile
- Sea freight –0.048 kg CO2 per Ton-Mile
Conversion factors:
1 Renewable Energy Certificate = 1 Megawatt Hour (MWh) = 1,000 Kilowatt Hours (KWh)
1 Kilowatt Hour = 3,413 British Thermal Units (BTUs)
1 Metric Tonne = 2,204.6 Pounds
1 Pound = 0.00045 Metric Tons
1 Short Ton = 2,000 Pounds
1 Short Ton = 0.90719 Metric Tons
1 Therm = 100 Cubic Feet
1 CCF = Abbreviation for 100 Cubic Feet
1 CCF = 1.024 Therms
Reduce your individual carbon footprint: https://www.carbonfund.org/individuals
