We use country-specific emissions data and carbon models to calculate the carbon footprint of payment transactions using information about product category and merchant.
The calculation methodology is based on statistical analysis of a significant amount of data. It's important to note that the CO2 footprint calculated is an estimate, not an exact measurement. We derive the estimate from an average within a category of goods/services and transaction value. We don't have access to basket-level data, which may affect the precision. While the provided CO2 footprint offers valuable insights, it should be considered as an estimation and has informative value.
E.g., if 30 euros were spent in Germany and the coefficient for the Food and Drink category is 0.308, the calculation would be: 30 €∗0,308=9,9 kg
The category coefficients used to determine the CO2 footprint are derived from numerous trustworthy sources that provide data on total emissions, GDP, emissions embedded in trade, consumption baskets, and more. These sources include reputable organizations such as the World Bank, Our World in Data, Eurostat, Defra Emission Factors and more. The coefficients are based on extensive research and analysis from these and other respected sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the calculations.
The trustworthiness of the category coefficients and tags used for your transactions is ensured through a process of regular cross-checking and validation. While the coefficients are derived from statistical analysis, we continually compare them with various reports on the CO2 footprint of specific products or activities.
*(For example, by referencing the CO2 emissions reported by a fashion brand for their jeans, we can calculate the emissions using the Fashion category coefficient. If our calculation aligns closely with the reported value, it confirms the accuracy of our methodology. This verification process is repeated across different products and categories, allowing us to fine-tune our calculations and provide reliable and accurate results.)
Yes, the calculator does consider different regions or countries in its calculations. This is important because it takes into account various parameters such as price level and energy mix of each country.
One limitation is that we only have visibility into the merchant where the purchase was made. We do not see individual items in your shopping basket.*(For example, when you buy a sandwich for a snack at a gas station, we are unable to distinguish the specific nature of the purchase. This means that certain details, such as the carbon footprint associated with that specific item, may not be accounted for accurately.)
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