Carbon Report Data
What Data Do You Need for a Carbon Report?
A practical checklist of the monthly data businesses need to create a clean Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon report.
A carbon report is only as useful as the data behind it. For many businesses, the best place to start is a simple monthly checklist covering company context, electricity, fuel, and emission factors.
Company and reporting context
A report should identify the company, country, industry, and reporting month. This makes the report easier to review later, especially when a business builds several months of history.
Employee count is also useful because it allows emissions per employee to be calculated.
Electricity data
For electricity, you need the amount of electricity used during the reporting month and the emission factor used to convert electricity into emissions.
The factor should match the reporting method, such as location-based or market-based reporting where applicable.
Fuel data
For fuel, you need the fuel type, quantity, unit, and matching fuel emission factor. Diesel, petrol, LPG, natural gas, and other fuels should not be mixed without clear factor assumptions.
If your business uses multiple fuels, it is better to record them as separate rows.
Why visible factors matter
A trustworthy carbon report should show the factors used. Hidden default assumptions make reports harder to review and harder to explain.
Visible factors also make it easier to update the report later if a better or more recognized factor becomes available.
Final takeaway
A clean monthly carbon report starts with clear inputs. Reporting month, employee count, electricity, fuel, and visible emission factors are enough to create a practical first baseline.