Emissions factor
Renewable Energy Procurement & Carbon Offsetting, Guidance for net zero carbon buildings, published by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) in March 2021, suggests that: ‘An emission factor gives the relationship between the amount of a pollutant produced and the amount of raw material processed or burnt.’
Zero carbon building, Performance standard, Version 2, Published by the Canada Green Building Council in March 2021, defines the emissions factor as: ‘A conversion factor that is used to estimate the emissions associated with a measurable activity, such as energy use for heating or cooling a building.’
It defines a location-based electricity grid emissions factor as: 'An emissions factor for an electricity grid that is based on the average emissions intensity of all types of generation within a defined locational boundary.'
And a marginal electricity grid emissions factor as: 'An emissions factor for an electricity grid that is based on the emissions intensity of the peaking (non-baseload) generation within a defined locational boundary.'
And residual mix emissions factor as: 'An emissions factor that has been adjusted to account for the retiring of contractual arrangements (such as RECs) within a defined geographic boundary.'
PAS 2080:2023 Carbon management in buildings and infrastructure, second edition, published by The British Standards Institution in March 2023, defines emissions factor as the: ‘…amount of greenhouse gases emitted, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and relative to a unit of activity.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.