Why CO₂ alone is not enough
The atmosphere contains multiple greenhouse gases, each with a different capacity to trap heat. Focusing only on CO₂ ignores significant contributors like methane and nitrous oxide, which are emitted throughout product supply chains — for example, from agriculture, waste decomposition, and industrial processes.Gases are compared using their Global Warming Potential (GWP) — a measure of how much heat a gas traps over a given time period relative to CO₂.
Key greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
The reference gas. GWP = 1. Emitted mainly through combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Methane (CH₄)
GWP ≈ 28× CO₂ over 100 years. Emitted from livestock, landfills, natural gas systems, and rice cultivation.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
GWP significantly higher than CO₂. Emitted mainly from agricultural soils and fertiliser use.
GWP values are based on a 100-year time horizon, as defined by the GHG Protocol. Målbar’s calculations use the same standard reference values.
How CO₂eq works
By multiplying each gas’s emission quantity by its GWP, you convert it into a CO₂-equivalent mass. All gases can then be added together into a single number — CO₂eq — that represents the total climate warming effect of a product’s emissions. Example: 1 kg of methane emitted = approximately 28 kg CO₂eq. This single unit makes it possible to compare climate impacts across different products, materials, and processes on a consistent basis.What this means in Målbar
Every climate footprint result you see in Målbar is expressed in kg CO₂eq. This ensures your calculations account for all significant greenhouse gases throughout the product life cycle — giving you an accurate, complete picture of climate impact rather than a partial one.Download the illustration
CO₂eq illustration (PDF)
Download the Målbar Academy visual explainer for CO₂eq and greenhouse gas equivalents.