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Calculation methodology

This page explains how ErgOps turns data into emissions results, and what you can rely on when you use them.

Deterministic calculation#

Every emissions result follows one principle:

activity data × governed emission factor = emissions

Calculations are deterministic: the same inputs and factor always give the same result. Final numeric results are never produced by AI. Where ErgOps offers AI-assisted suggestions — for example classifying imported rows — a person approves them, and they never set quantities or factors.

Emission factors and provenance#

Each result records the factor it used: its source, version and unit. A factor is only used when it is active and valid for the date of the activity.

When several factors could apply, ErgOps prefers the most specific evidence:

  1. product-specific
  2. supplier-specific
  3. your organization's own factors
  4. regional, country or global activity factors
  5. spend-based factors
  6. generic factors

Versioning and snapshots#

  • Results keep the factor version they were calculated with. Updating a factor does not silently change past results.
  • Baselines, finalized reports, published snapshots and verified impact are frozen. Changes create a new version or reassessment rather than editing history.

Units#

ErgOps converts activity data to consistent units — for example kWh for electricity, m³ for gas and water, tonnes for mass, tonne-kilometres for freight. Emissions are reported in kgCO₂e or tCO₂e.

Boundaries#

A result only includes what its boundary covers:

  • Organization — the inventory boundary you choose: operational control, financial control, equity share or custom.
  • Product — cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, gate-to-gate or custom.
  • Transport — the boundary of the chosen factor, such as tank-to-wheel. See Logistics methodology.

Missing data#

When data or a factor is missing, the result is Needs data. ErgOps does not replace missing values with estimates. Data confidence is shown next to results so you can judge how reliable they are.

Reuse without double counting#

One calculation can support several results — for example a transport activity used in Scope 3 and in a product footprint. ErgOps records where each calculation is used and blocks the same calculation from being counted twice in the same place.

What methodology does not mean#

Methodology transparency and framework readiness are not certification, accreditation or a legal compliance opinion.