Annex 2 - Examples of emission factor databases
Which emission factor databases can be used?
Many emission factors already exist and are made available in the form of emission factor databases. The most reliable databases, which are commonly used during Bilan CarboneĀ® approaches, are listed here.
The Base EmpreinteĀ® is a public emission factor database developed by ADEME, bringing together emission factors that are relevant for the French territory. Resulting from the merger of the former Base CarboneĀ® and Base ImpactĀ®, it is the database to be prioritised in the majority of cases. This database provides quality indicators for some of its EFs. An account is required to access it, however the entire database is free. The documentation associated with the database is available directly on it. The Base EmpreinteĀ® notably offers Spend-based emission factors by sector of activity, and therefore non-specific to an actor or market.
The various emission factors provided by the Base EmpreinteĀ® are systematically reviewed before being integrated into the database, and their uncertainties are given in two forms:
In a quantitative form, via a percentage, which is currently filled in by the user who proposed the emission factor.
In a qualitative form, via six indicators similar to those detailed here, each rated between 1 and 5 stars
The six indicators provided by the Base EmpreinteĀ® can be reused within the framework of the uncertainty calculation recommended here. However, it is advisable to modify the rating given to these indicators, in cases where, for example, you use the emission factor for an activity in Brittany to account for the same activity in Auvergne. Indeed, the "Geographic Correlation" indicator of the Base EmpreinteĀ® assesses whether the LCA carried out is representative of the Breton territory, whereas your indicator must assess whether the emission factor you are using is representative of the activity you are accounting for. In our example, even if the LCA was very good, you are using the emission factor for the wrong territory, so the geographic correlation is not "Very good".
The AgribalyseĀ® database is a public emission factor database co-managed by ADEME and INRAE, which brings together environmental indicators of agricultural and food products, including emission factors. All emission factors in this database come from life cycle analyses (LCA). The documentation associated with this database is available here.
The INIES database is a national database bringing together environmental and health data specific to products and equipment in the construction sector, including emission factors.
The ecoinventĀ® database is an international emission factor database, bringing together more than 18,000 EFs from LCAs and managed by the ecoinvent association. It is one of the most comprehensive databases, however access to this database is paid.
The nĆ©gaoctet database is an emission factor database specific to the digital sector. Part of the database is made available for free via emission factors directly integrated into the Base EmpreinteĀ®, but the rest of the database is paid.
The sectoral guides from ADEME generally include emission factors specific to the sector concerned, and are generally resources to use if the organisation's sector is covered by one of these guides. The sectors currently covered are:
Water and sanitation
Digital, IT and Communications Technology
Trade and Distribution
Mountain Sector
Public Works
Wine and Viticulture Sector
Finance
Bakery
Cleaning
Chemistry
Healthcare
Spirits
Aerial Professions
Furniture
Aggregates and recycling sites
Cosmetics
Non-commercial tertiary sector
Sports federations
Agricultural and Agri-food
The EXIOBASE database is an international database that consolidates macro-economic data and environmental impacts, by region and by sector. It notably offers more numerous and more recent Spend-based emission factors than the Spend-based emission factors of the Base EmpreinteĀ®.
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