Calculation basis
The carbon-calculators of Wilderness International calculate your emissions with so-called carbon-emission factors. These factors provide information about the amount of emissions that are generated for one unit of a product or activity.
Let us give you one example: Electricity has an emission factor of 0.485kg CO2e/kWh in Germany (Status: 2021).
And what does CO2e mean?
This is the abbreviation of carbon-equivalents. Not only carbon is calculated, but also other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) or nitrous oxide (N2O).*
The cornerstones of Wilderness International's carbon calculators are:
Holism. This means that emissions from all life cycle stages of the products and activities you enter in the calculator are taken into account. For example, the production, transport, use and disposal of a laptop are included in the calculation. In addition, we ask you about all relevant categories in which emissions occur, so that you get a broad overview. Based on your feedback, we receive a wide variety of perspectives and ideas. In this way, we are constantly developing the queries with your help.
Transparency. The carbon calculators are based on data from scientific, publicly available sources. Upon request, we will provide you with a list of the emission factors used.
Carbon graph and forest protection. On the final page of each calculator, you will find a graphic that allows you to analyze how many emissions were generated in which categories. In addition, you have the opportunity to protect Peruvian rainforest with us; exactly as much forest to keep the amount of emissions that corresponds to your carbon footprint.
Because:
Protection of 1m2 rainforest = 60kg carbon + non-quantifiable value for biodiversity = 1€ Donation
* We calculate CO2e, but mainly use the term CO2 or carbon, as this greenhouse gas is in focus and facilitates communication.