---
title: "Emission Factor Management: The Basics"
description: "n the Emission factors tab (under CO₂ Accounting), you can manage all your individual emission factors in one place. The tab works like a library: each factor is stored once and can then be used in any number of CCF reports. Each factor can have multiple versions, allowing you to see at any time which values apply to which version."
---

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# Emission Factor Management: The Basics

In the *Emission factors* tab (under *CO₂ Accounting*), you can manage all your individual emission factors in one place. The tab works like a library: each factor is stored once and can then be used in any number of CCF reports. Each factor can have multiple versions, allowing you to see at any time which values apply to which version.

**Key points at a glance:**

- **Centralised management:** All custom emission factors are stored and managed in the *Emission factors* tab. Factors created directly in a report are also transferred there automatically.
- **Two ways to create a factor:** In the *Emission factors* tab, you can save a factor as a draft or release it immediately. If you create one in a report via “Add own activity”, it becomes active straight away.
- **Drafts:** A draft can be edited freely but cannot be used in reports until it has been released. Each factor can have a maximum of one draft. Releasing a version updates the *Emission factors* tab but never automatically updates your reports. Each report continues to use the version it is linked to until you actively update it.
- **Versions instead of overwriting:** To change an active factor, create a new version via the three-dot menu. Once released, the new version replaces the previous one in the *Emission factors* tab. Existing reports are not updated automatically. To use the new version, update the factor manually in each relevant report.
- **Archiving and deleting:** Both actions always apply to the entire factor and all its versions. A factor can only be deleted if it is not used in any report.
- **Climate Hub ID:** Each factor has a unique ID. The base remains the same, while the suffix increments with each version. In the future, this ID will allow you to retrieve factors directly via the API and use them in CCF calculations.

                               

                                *From the first version to the updated report:*

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 10.52.35](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.52.35.png?width=458&height=318&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.52.35.png)

### The overview table

The table displays all custom emission factors with the following columns: factor name, scope, category, unit, factor value, year, version, and status. Each factor name must be unique.

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 10.56.07](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.56.07.png?width=670&height=185&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.56.07.png)

**Filtering and sorting:** On the left, you can search by factor name and filter by scope or status. Use the arrows in the column headers to sort in ascending or descending order.

**Version history and details:** Click the arrow at the beginning of a row to open the version history. For each version, you can view the following information:

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 10.57.47](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.57.47.png?width=618&height=178&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2010.57.47.png)

- **Created and Created by:** The date and the creator’s initials. Hover over the initials to view the email address. The initials “CH” identify factors that Climate Hub [created automatically during initialisation](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/emissionsfaktormanagement-initialisierung?hsLang=en).
- **Status:** Each version has its own status. The status in the overview table indicates the status of the factor as a whole. If an active version exists, the status shown is “Active”, even if a draft for the next version is available.

- **Details:** For example, region, unit, factor value, system boundary, data source with additional details, and breakdown of gases. For Scope 2 factors, location-based and market-based data are displayed separately.
- **Climate Hub ID:** The base remains the same across all versions, while the suffix increments.
- **Comment:** The optional reason for creating a new version.

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 11.01.34](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.01.34.png?width=136&height=108&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.01.34.png)

The available actions depend on the status. Each version has its own status, whereas the status in the overview table indicates the status of the factor as a whole.

| Status | Meaning | Available actions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Draft** | The version has not yet been released. | Edit, release, or discard. Cannot be used in reports. |
| **Active** | The factor’s current released version. An active factor can be used in any report, provided the scope and category match. | Create a new version, archive the factor, or delete it (only if unused). |
| **Replaced** | An earlier version that has been superseded by a newer release. | View only. Reports linked to this version will continue to use it until you update them. |
| **Archived** | The entire factor, including all versions, has been archived. | Delete the factor (only if unused). It can no longer be selected for new reports. |

### Creating a new factor

There are two ways to create a new individual factor. You can find a step-by-step guide [here](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/individuellen-emissionsfaktor-anlegen?hsLang=en).

- **In the** ***Emission factors*** **tab:** Click “Add factor”. Select “Save as draft” if you want to review the details first, or “Save & release” to activate the factor immediately.
- **Directly in a CCF report:** Use “Add own activity” to create an individual factor. Once you have entered a factor name, it is automatically saved in the *Emission factors* tab and activated.

### Editing, releasing, or discarding a draft

Open the factor’s version history. Drafts are highlighted in yellow and marked with a note indicating that they cannot yet be used in reports. The three-dot menu on the right offers three actions:

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 11.15.37](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.15.37.png?width=670&height=227&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.15.37.png)

- **Edit:** Change values and details. You can edit a draft as often as needed without affecting your reports.
- **Release:** Review the details and select “Release”. The version’s status changes to “Active”, and it becomes available for selection in reports, provided the scope and category match. If an active version already exists, it is marked as “Replaced”. Existing reports continue to use their previous version until you [update it manually](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/emissionsfaktoren-im-bericht-verwenden-und-aktualisieren?hsLang=en).

- **Discard:** Removes only the draft; the active version remains unchanged. If the draft is the only version of a new factor, discarding it removes the entire factor.

### Creating a new version

You cannot directly overwrite an active factor. Instead, create a new version. This ensures that previous values and the reports calculated using them remain traceable.

![Bildschirmfoto 2026-10-13 um 11.18.52](https://helpdesk.verso.de/hs-fs/hubfs/Climate%20Hub%20Artikel/Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.18.52.png?width=670&height=211&name=Bildschirmfoto%202026-10-13%20um%2011.18.52.png)

1. Open the factor’s version history and select “Create new version” from the three-dot menu.
2. The details from the previous version are carried over. Edit the values you want to change.
3. **Optional:** Enter a reason for creating the new version in the comment field. The comment will appear in the version details.
4. Select “Save as draft” or “Save & release”.

**Saved as draft:** The previous version remains active and continues to be used in reports. While the draft exists, you cannot create another new version.

**Released:** The new version becomes active, and the previous version is marked as “Replaced”. The suffix of the Climate Hub ID increments, for example, from \_v1 to \_v2.

**Updating existing reports to the new version:** Existing reports are not updated automatically. If a newer version is available, the report displays a notification. You can then decide whether to update the report. Find out how [here](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/emissionsfaktoren-im-bericht-verwenden-und-aktualisieren?hsLang=en).

### Archiving or deleting a factor

Archiving is the standard option when you no longer want to use a factor. Deletion is only possible if the factor is not used in any report. Both actions always apply to the entire factor and all its versions; individual versions cannot be deleted.

**Archiving a factor:** If you no longer want to use a factor, select “Archive” from the three-dot menu. The factor can no longer be selected for new reports, and you cannot create new versions. It remains visible in the overview table when you filter by status. Reports that already use the factor remain unchanged. Archiving does not change the previously used value or the calculations based on the versions already assigned.

**Deleting a factor:** If a factor was created by mistake or is no longer needed anywhere, you can delete it. Select “Delete factor” from the three-dot menu and confirm the prompt.

**Why is “Delete factor” greyed out?** The factor is still being used in at least one CCF report. Hover over the button to see a tooltip identifying the report. Replace or remove the factor in that report. If the report has already been finalised, you must first revoke its finalised status.

### Frequently asked questions

**The table is empty. What should I do?** If you have not created any factors yet, the message “No emission factors available” is displayed. Create your first factor (see [here](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/individuellen-emissionsfaktor-anlegen?hsLang=en)).

**Where do factors I did not create myself come from?** During initialisation, Climate Hub imported all custom activities from your CCF reports as factors, including those from completed reports. Identical factors appear only once. You can identify these factors by the initials “CH”. Coloured tags and information boxes highlight merged factors and potential duplicates. Find out more [here](https://helpdesk.verso.de/en/climate-hub/emissionsfaktormanagement-initialisierung?hsLang=en).

 

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