Conversion metrics
The Climate Trust requests that project developers use the following conversion tables for offset project calculations. Clearly state the source if an alternative conversion factor is used.
Global warming potentials
Global warming potentials (GWPs) are used to compare the abilities of different greenhouse gases to trap heat in the atmosphere. GWPs are based on the heat-absorbing ability of each gas relative to that of carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as the decay rate of each gas (the amount removed from the atmosphere over a given number of years) relative to that of CO2. The GWP provides a construct for converting emissions of various gases into a common measure denominated in carbon or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
The generally accepted authority on GWPs is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Below are the most current IPCC estimates of GWPs for key greenhouse gases.
|
Gas
|
2001
IPCC GWP
|
|
Carbon
dioxide
|
1
|
|
Methane
|
23
|
|
Nitrous
oxide
|
296
|
|
HFC-23
|
12,000
|
|
HFC-125
|
3,400
|
|
HFC-134a
|
1,300
|
|
HFC-143a
|
4,300
|
|
HFC-152a
|
120
|
|
HFC-227ea
|
3,500
|
|
HFC-236fa
|
9,400
|
|
Perfluoromethane
(CF4)
|
5,700
|
|
Perfluoromethane
(C2F6)
|
11,900
|
|
Sulfur
Hexafluoride (SF 6)
|
22,200
|
|
Fuel
conversion factors
|
|
Fuel
type
|
Emission
coefficients
|
|
Pounds
CO2
per unit (mass or volume)
|
Pounds
CO2
per million Btu
|
|
Petroleum
products
|
|
Aviation
gasoline
|
18.355
per gallon
770.916 per barrel
|
152.717
|
|
Diesel
and distillate fuel (No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 fuel oil)
|
22.384
per gallon
940.109 per barrel
|
161.386
|
|
Jet
fuel
|
21.095
per gallon
885.98 per barrel
|
156.258
|
|
Kerosene
|
21.537
per gallon
904.565 per barrel
|
159.535
|
|
Liquified
petroleum gases
(LPG)
|
12.805
per gallon
537.804 per barrel
|
139.039
|
|
Motor
gasoline
(conventional)
|
19.564
per gallon
822.944 per barrel
|
156.425
|
|
Petroleum
coke
|
32.397
per gallon
1356.461 per barrel
6768.667 per short ton
|
225.130
|
|
Residual
fuel (No. 5 and No.
6 fuel oil)
|
26.033
per gallon
1,093.384 per barrel
|
173.906
|
|
Natural
gas and other
gaseous fuels
|
|
Natural
gas (pipeline)
|
120.593
per 1000 ft3
|
117.080
|
|
Propane
|
12.669
per gallon
532.085 per barrel
|
139.178
|
|
Coal
|
|
Anthracite
|
3852.16
per short ton
|
227.400
|
|
Bituminous
|
4931.30
per short ton
|
205.300
|
|
Sub-bituminous
|
3715.90
per short ton
|
212.700
|
|
Lignite
|
2791.60
per short ton
|
215.400
|
*The
Climate Trust reserves the right to use alternative conversion
factors for the purpose of offset quantifications.
Sources:
Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. Greenhouse
Gas Inventory Reference Manual: Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines
for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Inventory
of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-1998.
Energy
Information Administration
|
|
Other
conversion factors
|
|
Mass
|
Pound
(lb)
|
Kilogram
(kg)
|
Short
ton
|
Metric
ton
|
|
1
pound (lb)
|
1
lb
|
0.4536
kg
|
.0005
short tons
|
0.0004536
metric tons
|
|
1
kilogram (kg)
|
2.205
lbs
|
1
kg
|
.001102
short tons
|
.001
metric tons
|
|
1
short ton
|
2,000
lbs
|
907.2
kg
|
1
short ton
|
0.9072
metric tons
|
|
1
metric ton
|
2,205
lbs
|
1,000
kg
|
1.1023
short tons
|
1
metric ton
|
|
|
|
Volume
|
Cubic
feet
|
Cubic
meters
|
Liters
|
US
gallons (liquid)
|
|
1
cubic foot
(ft3)
|
1
ft3
|
0.0283
m3
|
28.32
L
|
7.4805
US gallons
|
|
1
cubic meter (m3)
|
35.31
ft3
|
1
m3
|
1,000
L
|
264.17
US gallons
|
|
1
liter
(L)
|
0.0353
ft3
|
0.001
m3
|
1
L
|
0.2642
US gallons
|
|
1
US gallon
|
0.134
ft3
|
0.0038
m3
|
3.785
L
|
1
US gallon
|
|
1
barrel (US petroleum)
|
5.6146
ft3
|
0.1589
m3
|
158.99
L
|
42
US gallons
|
|
|
Energy
|
Kilowatt
hours (kWh)
|
US
therms
|
Joules
|
Btu
|
|
1
kilowatt hour
|
1
kWh
|
0.0341
therms
|
3,600,000
joules
|
3,412
Btu
|
|
1
US
therm
|
29.3
kWh
|
1
therm
|
105,480,400
joules
|
99,976
Btu
|
|
1
Btu
|
0.0002931
kWh
|
0.00001
therms
|
1,055
joules
|
1
Btu
|
|
1
Megajoule
|
0.2778
kWh
|
0.00948
therms
|
1,000,000
joules
|
947.8170777
Btu
|
Other resources
The IPCC's emission factor database is a great resource for industrial carbon factors, as well as most other sectors.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative has calculation tools to enable companies to develop comprehensive and reliable inventories of their greenhouse gas emissions.
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|
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If you have questions or want to discuss a project concept, please contact
Offset Project Analyst Peter Weisberg at 503.238.1915 x207.
Step 1: Submit a Project Information Note.
For forestry projects, submit a Forestry Project Information Note
Step 2: Upon The Climate Trust's request, submit a Project Information Document.
Step 3: Negotiate an Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement.
Additionality guidelines
Baseline guidelines
Other resources
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