Carbon Savings Calculation Methodology
Carbon Wallet aims to make green lifestyle count. It empowers users to track their Carbon Savings as a result of their green actions in two areas namely recycling and green dining.
To ensure robustness, an independent consultant, RESET Carbon, has been appointed to develop the calculation methodology of Carbon Savings based on scientific research studies and their professional expertise.
1. Definition of Carbon Savings
Carbon Savings represent carbon emissions avoided by practising a green action when compared with its baseline action (e.g. consume a vegetarian meal vs a non-vegetarian meal, recycle a plastic bottle vs disposal at landfill).
Carbon Savings are calculated by comparing carbon emissions of a green action with its respective baseline action:
Carbon Savings = Carbon Emissions Baseline - Carbon Emissions Green Actions
2. Calculation Methodology
2.1 Overview
The following table presents the Green and Baseline Actions for respective area based on which Carbon Savings are calculated.
2.2 Recycling
Carbon Savings are calculated by comparing the emissions associated with the green action of recycling a container against the baseline action of disposing the item at landfill. The emissions from both actions are based on the lifecycle assessment (LCA) results published in a European Study of liquid containers and an evaluation of emission reductions associated with recycling.
Carbon Savings for recycling are calculated on a per-unit basis. A standard volume has been selected as the “representative volume” for each type of container for the calculation. Selection of the representative volume for each container type is based on a review of local usage statistics and is presented below:
2.3 Green Dining
Carbon Savings are calculated by comparing the carbon emissions associated with the green action of having a vegetarian meal to the baseline action of having an average non-vegetarian meal. The calculation follows an ingredient composition defined by a study conducted by The University of Hong Kong.
Carbon emissions of different meals are derived from the summation of carbon emissions of all ingredients according to the composition of the respective meal types. For a vegetarian meal, meat is replaced by other ingredients such as grains, vegetables and fruits.
3. Carbon Savings Equivalencies
In the homepage of the Carbon Wallet App, users’ Carbon Savings are illustrated by linking with different activities (or “equivalencies”) to help them easily understand their contribution to reducing carbon footprint. The table below presents the carbon emissions associated with these equivalencies.
Want to learn more about our Carbon Savings Methodology?
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