Example
Example: compare 3,500 and 2,800 kWh using Switzerland’s 2025 Ember generation factor. The result is an electricity-generation estimate only; add sourced factors for other activities.
How the estimate works
Each sector is calculated as annual activity multiplied by its factor. Change the activity values to compare a baseline with an action scenario. The same factors apply to both scenarios, so the difference reflects activity changes.
Carbon estimate questions
Does this calculate my complete carbon footprint?
No. It totals only the activities you enter. It does not include food, purchases, public services, construction, or any omitted activity.
What does the electricity factor measure?
Ember reports CO2 intensity of electricity generation by country and year. This estimate does not adjust for imports, grid losses, supplier contracts, or upstream lifecycle emissions.
Where do heating, travel, and flight factors come from?
You enter those factors and cite the source, date, unit, and boundary shown by that source. The calculator does not silently substitute a factor from another country.
Can I use vehicle-km and passenger-km factors?
Yes, but select the basis that exactly matches the factor. Enter passenger-km for a per-passenger factor and vehicle-km for a per-vehicle factor.
Are these certified results or carbon offsets?
No. This browser-based comparison is not an official inventory, certification, or offset purchase.
Scope and data sources
This is a scenario estimate, not a complete personal footprint, official inventory, audit, or offset certificate. Electricity uses generation intensity, not a consumption-based or lifecycle factor. Heating, transport, flights and other factors are supplied by you and are only as reliable as their source and matching units.