The Ekos Lifestyle Carbon Footprint Calculator sources its emission factors from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment’s ‘Measuring Emissions: A Guide for Organisations 2019 - detailed guide’.

Ekos’ lifestyle carbon footprints are estimates only, as they are based on generalised consumption data rather than actual verified measurements. Those who would prefer to measure their exact emissions can contact Ekos for a quote on this service.

Consumption data and methodology is based on:

Flying

International Long-haul: Auckland - London (via Singapore) one way

International Short-haul: Auckland - Melbourne one way

Domestic: Wellington - Auckland one way

Radiative forcing refers to the non-CO2e impacts of aviation emissions on global warming (e.g. NOx, water vapour, contrails) (impacts in addition to the CO2e gases). Accounting for radiative forcing is a more conservative approach to calculating aviation emissions footprints, compared with when RF is excluded.

Radiative forcing is a multiplier used to account for non-CO2 climate change effects of aviation (including water vapour, contrails, and NOx). A multiplier of 1.89 has been recommended by the European Assessment of Transport Impacts on Climate Change and Ozone Depletion (ATTICA). DEFRA point out, however, that the multiplier of 1.89 remains subject to uncertainty. For this reason, Ekos makes accounting for RF optional for our clients.

Driving

Consumption data sourced from the New Zealand Ministry of Transport

https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Research/Documents/Drivers-2014-y911-Final-v3.pdf

Electricity

Consumption data sourced from the New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-data-modelling/statistics/prices/electricity-prices/sales-based-residential-prices.pdf

Individuals per household is 2.3 based on New Zealand Census data

http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/qstats-families-households/households.aspx

Firewood:

Consumption data based on Ekos household survey

Gas

Consumption data based on Ekos household survey

Waste

Consumption data based on Ekos household survey

Diet

Emissions data sourced from ‘Shrink that Footprint’

http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/food-carbon-footprint-diet

If you have a more up to date source of data we would love to hear about it. Get in touch.