SV CO2 Calculator

A tool that estimates the greenhouse gas emissions of individual research labs.

Calculation methodology

The calculator follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the international standard for the estimation of greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG Protocol is divided into three scopes, which contain the emission sources to be assessed:

Scope 1. Direct emissions (mostly on-site combustion of fossil fuels and fugitive emissions).
Scope 2. Indirect emissions (mostly linked to purchased electricity that is used on site).
Scope 3. Other indirect emissions (purchased goods and services, commuting, professional travel, etc.).

The development of this tool is an iterative process. We refine our methodology and scope as new data becomes available. Please contact us if you have any questions about our calculation methodology.

This tool has taken different shapes during its development. The main milestones are described below.

Pilot projects (2019-2021)

In 2020, Zero Emission Group presented the “Carbon accounting” project in the context of Act 4 Change Lab. Eight students were trained by an external company to carry out CO2 assessments of the Cell and Membrane Biology Laboratory and the Time and Segmentation Dynamics Laboratory. The external company also validated the students’ results. The assessment has been synthesized into an executive summary, which also provides recommendations for sustainable laboratory practices. The full report is also available.

Based on this pilot project, we developed an Excel-based CO2 calculator, which was used to evaluate the emissions of approximately ten laboratories and core facilities of the School of Life Sciences.

Towards an open-source calculator

Since 2023, the importance of this initiative is further reinforced as it is now part of EPFL’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy. The intention of the EPFL CO2 Calculator project is to meet the first two objectives, which are:

• To raise awareness among all scientists, researchers, and scholars at EPFL about the environmental impact of their activities, and
• To obtain a global vision of CO2 emissions related to EPFL’s research activities by 2026.

Thus, the ambition is to develop an open-source CO2 calculator that will be made available to all EPFL laboratories, centers, and platforms, as well as other institutions. The development of such a tool is crucial to assess the balance of emission sources related to research and to propose emission reduction solutions tailored to the needs and specificities of each laboratory.