Input unit when editing emission factors

When editing emission factors, the input unit of an activity generally remains unchanged. This prevents unintended changes to consumption and emission values.

How it works

When adjusting emission factors, three cases can occur:

1. Emission factor value is changed, unit remains the same

The input unit remains unchanged
Emissions are recalculated based on the updated values

Example:
Input: 200 g
Emission factor: 0.5 → 0.6 kg CO₂e/kg
→ Input unit remains g

2. Emission factor unit is changed (within the same unit type)

Input unit and input value remain unchanged
Calculation is handled via automatic conversion within the same unit type

Example:
Input: 1000 kWh
Emission factor: 0.5 kg CO₂e/kWh → 0.5 kg CO₂e/Wh
→ Input unit remains kWh, emissions are recalculated based on the updated emission factor unit

3. Emission factor unit is changed (different unit type)

The input unit is adjusted automatically
The input value remains unchanged
A notice is displayed

Example:
Input: 100 liters
Emission factor: 2.8 kg CO₂e/liter → 1.2 kg CO₂e/kWh
→ Input unit is automatically set to kWh

Note

The input unit dropdown is only available after selecting an emission factor unit. Before that, the field is disabled
Automatic adjustment of the input unit only occurs for incompatible unit types
In this case, a notice is shown. The notice disappears once the input is adjusted
Changes are only applied after clicking “Save”

Unit types overview

Conversion is only possible within the same unit type. The following unit types are supported:

Unit type	Units
Energy	Wh, kWh, MWh, GWh, MJ, GJ, TJ
Weight	g, kg, t, short-ton, lb
Freight transport (mass-based)	tkm, tmi, short-ton-mi
Freight transport (container-based)	TEU-km, TEU-m, TEU-ft, TEU-mi, TEU-nmi
Passenger transport	pkm, pmi
Distance	m, km, ft, mi, nmi
Volume	ml, liter, m³, gal, bbl, scf
Area	m², km², ft², ha
Euro	€
Dollar	$
Nights	nights
Quantity	quantity
Percentage	%