Calculation methodology

Svalna calculates the carbon footprints of companies and organizations, through smart combination of economic and physical data, and automated calculations. Our methodology is based on scientifically proven principles and utilizes data from reliable sources such as the Environmental Accounts of Statistics Sweden and EXIOBASE, an environmentally extended multi-regional input-output analysis.

How it works

Impacts are essentially calculated by multiplying the purchase value in SEK by the emission factors of the corresponding purchasing category. All purchases are automatically categorized based on supplier and accounting information. For example, a purchase from a clothing store is categorized as "clothing”. For the category “Clothing”, the emission factor can be 0.05 kg carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per Swedish krona. This means that a T-shirt that costs SEK 200 would get a carbon footprint of 10 kg CO2e.

1

Primary production

Chemicals
Fertilizers
Materials

2

Production

Factories
Energy
Buildings

3

Retail

Energy
Equipment
Service

4

Carbon footprint

A T-shirt for SEK 200
10 kg CO2e
0.05 kg CO2e/SEK

Emission Factors and Data Sources

The emission factors we use are average measures of climate impact per Swedish krona spent in each category (g CO2e/SEK). These factors are calculated based on data about how much money is spent in various industries and the total emissions generated by each industry. It is admittedly a rough measure, but it provides a reliable estimate of average emissions over time.

When physical data is used

Not all emissions are calculated based on monetary spending. Some emissions are better measured using physical primary data, for example:

Flights: Calculations can be based on the flight distance for organizations with a significant amount of air travel, such as universities.
Energy: We estimate energy usage based on costs and the price per kWh, combined with local emission factors, such as those for district heating in your region.

This flexibility ensures that we can deliver the most accurate calculations possible. Do you have specific needs or questions about how we can tailor the calculations for your organization?
Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Svalna – More Than Calculations

Our methodology is designed to provide a comprehensive view of your climate impact and enable concrete actions to reduce it. With our solution, you gain access to detailed analyses that offer insights into your entire supply chain – and a powerful tool to help you work toward a more sustainable business.