We calculate greenhouse gas emissions using this equation: Activity data x Emission factor = Emissions from that activity (in CO2e) Activity data: The unit of activity that generates emissions, e.g. the kilowatt hours (KWh) of electricity used in an office. Emission factor: A way of measuring how much CO2e is produced by an activity or process, e.g. kg of CO2e emitted per kg of material produced.

A CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) is a unit of measurement that is used to standardize the climate effects of various greenhouse gases. There are many different greenhouse gases of which carbon dioxide is the most widely known. Different greenhouse gases affect the climate in different ways. There is an exchange rate of sorts that makes the comparison of the different gases possible. The exchange rate expresses how many kg of carbon dioxide emissions that warm the climate equally as 1 kg of another greenhouse gas. The exchange rate was defined the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations and is called Global Warming Potential and is typically abbreviated GWP. By knowing the GWP of different gases the total climate impact of a product can be condensed into one single unit: kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (kg CO₂e).

Carbon offsetting involves funding projects around the world that help reduce carbon emissions by a measurable and verifiable amount. Without additional carbon finance from individuals or organizations offsetting their emissions, these projects would not have been possible.

Individual carbon offset projects are being implemented around the world thanks to funding from individuals and organizations that offset their emissions. These projects include generating renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing deforestation and planting more trees. These projects must meet major international carbon offsetting standards and are regularly inspected and audited to ensure that they are generating the carbon reductions. Carbon credits are only issued once these carbon reductions have been realized and verified. These carbon credits can be purchased and used to offset the unavoidable emissions of other individuals and organizations (carbon offsetting).