IPCC 2006 2019 Refinements AR5 GWP

IPCC emission factors —
the calculation basis for every tCO₂e.

IPCC emission factors are the coefficients that convert fuel consumption and process activity into greenhouse gas quantities. They are published in the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories — the most peer-reviewed and auditor-accepted source for default emission factors in GHG accounting. Sustaineve uses no proprietary factors. Every tCO₂e in a Sustaineve inventory traces back to a specific IPCC 2006 or 2019 Refinement table entry.

The tables below contain selected emission factors used in Sustaineve. Each factor is cited in the calculation audit trail by its IPCC table and edition reference — visible to auditors, verifiers, and ESG reviewers.

Request Demo Scope 1 Categories
app.sustaineve.com · emission factor lookup
IPCC cited

Scope 1 · Stationary Combustion

IPCC 2006 & 2019 · Default factors · GWP-100 AR5

Fuel CO₂ EF GWP-wt IPCC ref
Natural gas 55.2 55.5 2019 T.2.2
Coal (bituminus) 94.6 96.2 2006 T.2.2
Diesel / gas oil 74.1 74.3 2006 T.2.2
Heavy fuel oil 77.4 77.6 2006 T.2.2
LPG 63.1 63.2 2006 T.2.2

kgCO₂/GJ · GWP-wt = CO₂+CH₄+N₂O combined in CO₂e/GJ

Calculation derivation

Natural gas · Plant A
Activity data
4,280 GJ User input
CO₂ factor
55.2 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2019 · T.2.2
CH₄ factor
1.1 gCH₄/GJ IPCC 2006 · T.2.2
N₂O factor
0.1 gN₂O/GJ IPCC 2006 · T.2.2
GWP — CH₄
27.9 AR5 · 100-yr
GWP — N₂O
273 AR5 · 100-yr
Total CO₂e
236.4 tCO₂e Calculated

GWP-weighted gas breakdown

CO₂
236.3 GWP=1
CH₄
0.13 GWP=27.9
N₂O
0.12 GWP=273

Audit ID: SE-2425-A-0047 · Traceable to IPCC 2019 Table 2.2

Stationary Combustion Factors

IPCC CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emission factors by fuel type.

Default factors from IPCC 2006 Guidelines Vol.2 Ch.2 Table 2.2 and 2019 Refinements. Applied to stationary combustion sources in Sustaineve's Scope 1 calculation.

Fuel Type CO₂ EF CH₄ EF N₂O EF Unit IPCC Ref
Natural gas 55.2 1.1 0.1 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2019 T.2.2
Coal — bituminous 94.6 1.1 1.4 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Coal — sub-bituminous 96.1 1.1 1.4 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Coal — lignite 101 1.1 1.4 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Diesel / gas oil 74.1 3 0.6 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Heavy fuel oil 77.4 3 0.6 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) 63.1 1 0.1 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Kerosene 71.9 3 0.6 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.2
Biomass — wood (general) 109.6 30 4 kgCO₂/GJ IPCC 2006 T.2.5

CH₄ unit: gCH₄/GJ · N₂O unit: gN₂O/GJ · Applied for stationary combustion (industrial/commercial boilers). GWP-weighted using AR5 values. Factors are IPCC defaults — country-specific factors may be used where available.

Global Warming Potentials

AR5 GWP values used in all Sustaineve calculations.

GWP values convert mass emissions of each gas to CO₂ equivalent. Sustaineve uses IPCC AR5 100-year GWP values as required by GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.

Gas Formula GWP-100 GWP-20 Source Context
CO₂ CO₂ 1 1 AR5 (by definition) Reference gas
Methane (fossil) CH₄ 27.9 82.5 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Fossil — most industrial sources
Methane (biogenic) CH₄ 27.9 82.5 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Biomass combustion
Nitrous oxide N₂O 273 273 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Combustion and process
HFC-134a C₂H₂F₄ 1,360 3,710 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Refrigerant — Scope 1 fugitive
HFC-410A (blend) Mixed 2,088 4,340 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Common HVAC refrigerant
SF₆ SF₆ 23,500 17,500 IPCC AR5 Table 8.7 Electrical switchgear

Sustaineve applies GWP-100 (100-year time horizon) as required by GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. GWP-20 shown for reference. AR5 = IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (2013–2014). AR6 values available — GHG Protocol update cycle pending.

AR5 vs AR6 GWP values

IPCC AR6 (2021) published updated GWP values — CH₄ (fossil) AR6 = 29.8, N₂O AR6 = 273. The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard currently recommends AR5 values. Sustaineve uses AR5 GWP-100 values in line with GHG Protocol requirements. When GHG Protocol officially updates to AR6, Sustaineve will update accordingly. This is a framework-level decision, not a proprietary choice.

FAQ

IPCC emission factors — common questions.

What are IPCC emission factors?

IPCC emission factors are coefficients published in the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories that quantify GHG emissions per unit of activity. For example, the IPCC default emission factor for natural gas stationary combustion is 55.2 kgCO₂/GJ. These factors are the most widely accepted source for GHG accounting under GHG Protocol and ISO 14064.

What is the difference between IPCC 2006 and 2019 Refinements?

IPCC 2006 Guidelines were the primary emission factor reference. The 2019 Refinements updated specific factors where new evidence justified changes — particularly CH₄ factors for natural gas combustion. Sustaineve applies 2019 Refinement factors where they supersede 2006 values, and 2006 values where no refinement was made.

What GWP values does Sustaineve use?

Sustaineve uses GWP values from IPCC AR5, 100-year time horizon: CO₂ = 1, CH₄ (fossil) = 27.9, N₂O = 273. These are recommended by the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. They convert mass emissions of CH₄ and N₂O to CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e).

Why does Sustaineve use IPCC factors instead of other sources?

IPCC factors are the most widely recognised, peer-reviewed, and auditor-accepted default factors for GHG accounting. They are specifically recommended by GHG Protocol and required for ISO 14064-1 compliance. Using IPCC factors ensures Sustaineve's calculations are accepted for BRSR, SBTi, and investor ESG reporting.

Related Compliance

Scope 1 Categories Scope 2 — CEA Factors GHG Protocol ISO 14064

Glossary

Emission factor defined IPCC defined tCO₂e defined

Product

Calculation engine Audit trail

IPCC factors — no black box

See every emission factor cited in your inventory.

Every IPCC table reference visible. Every GWP cited. Every tCO₂e traceable. 30-minute demo.

Request Demo Scope 1 Categories