FAQ for Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel

What is Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel?

Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel gives you hands-on emissions calculations within familiar spreadsheet environments.

You can access a library of verified emission factors and populate preconfigured templates with activity data to automatically calculate emissions, You can also use the Excel add‑in in your own worksheets to run calculations without writing a single line of code.

Is Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel suitable for me?

The solution is suitable for organizations who want to calculate their own emissions without the need for advanced technical skills. The following examples show organizations in this group:

For more information, see Getting started for Excel users.

Does Envizi Emissions API support financed emissions?

Yes, you can use the API or the Excel add-in to calculate financed emissions that are aligned with the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). When you sign up, you get access to calculation logic, factor selection, API endpoints, and Excel functions. Asset classes 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5 and quality scores 2, 4, and 5 are supported. If your organization has access to third-party data for asset class 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, Envizi Emissions API can also support quality scores 1 and 3.

Is this API a replacement for the GHG accounting and reporting solutions in Envizi ESG Suite?

No. Envizi™ Emissions Calculations in Excel is designed for self-serve calculation and analysis. Enterprises that require governed workflows, controls, and audit-ready reporting should use Envizi’s Emissions Accounting solutions.

Can I take a trial?

Yes, you can sign up for a 30-day trial and work in the spreadsheet environment you already know while using trusted emissions calculations that are aligned with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

For more information, see the IBM Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel sign up form.

Can I use my own template with the Excel add-in?

Yes. First, download the add-in from Microsoft Marketplace. After installation, you can use your own template with the add-in. For more information, see IBM Envizi - Emissions Calculations in Excel on Microsoft Marketplace.

What functions are available?

You use custom Microsoft Excel functions to calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, get more information about emission factors, and return results or metadata.

How can I better understand the results if I'm using my own template?

The template for Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel is provided with all features enabled. If you're using your own template, you can download the Envizi Emissions Calculations in Excel template to explore how all the functions and features work. You can also optionally add the column headers from the template to your own template. You can then follow the function exactly as written, and column headers, such as CO₂e and CH₄, match the calculated results.

What is the activity type recommender?

The emission factors catalog includes thousands of activity types. The activity type recommender is a feature that uses AI to help you choose an appropriate activity type when you are not sure which one to use. In the Activity name cell, you describe your activity in plain language, for example flight to Paris. The add‑in then recommends an activity type for your calculation and shows a confidence score to help you judge how good the match is. Scores range from 0 to 1, where values closer to 1 indicate a stronger match.

You can enhance the accuracy of the recommender by incorporating additional parameters such as unit, scope, date, and state or province. However, even with these additional parameters, the outcomes might not always be fully satisfactory. To address this, a task pane-based recommendation feature is being introduced, which provides a broader and more relevant set of matches for the search instead of just one recommendation. As a final fallback, if the recommendations are still not accurate, you can manually select activity types from drop-downs.

For more information, see How I can I be sure that I'm entering valid values?

How I can I be sure that I'm entering valid values?

You can help ensure that you enter valid activity types, units, and locations when you're calculating emissions. Instead of guessing what values are allowed, on the IBM Envizi tab, you can insert a searchable drop-down in the relevant cell. For example, to select from a list of activity types, select the Activity type field, then click Insert all activity types. A drop-down appears in the Activity type cell that is populated with all the valid values.

Where can I see my usage details?

You can see your account details and current usage on the Account and usage page. After you log in, you can see the number of used and remaining data requests and your subscription details. For more information, see the Account and usage page.

What are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Greenhouse gas emissions are gases that are released into the atmosphere from human activities, mainly burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

What is the GHG Protocol?

The GHG Protocol is the leading global standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting. It provides principles and methods for creating GHG inventories and reporting data. Organizations use the protocol to guide emissions policies and track data across products, organizations, and value chains, which help ensure consistent and comparable reporting worldwide. For more information, see this PDF of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol FAQ.

What are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions?

Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions are categories defined by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the most widely used global standard for corporate greenhouse gas accounting. The scopes help organizations understand where their emissions come from and what they can influence or control.

For more information, see What are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions?

What is a factor selection algorithm?

A factor selection algorithm (FSA) is a method that is used to select the most relevant factors from a larger set of possible factors. When you specify an activity type, the FSA that is used by Envizi Emissions API analyzes available emissions factors and recommends the most appropriate one for accurate, consistent calculations. You can optionally select a different factor than the one that the FSA selected. For example, you might want to select a factor that is more appropriate to your region.

For more information, see Viewing factor details.