How Plan A Calculates Business Travel Emissions

This calculation method entails multiplying the distance travelled, considering the mode of transport and the number of travellers, by an emission factor customised for the specific mode of transport.

For flights, emission factors are influenced by the flight range, whether the flight is domestic or international, and which seat class is chosen. For the flight range, the calculation method differentiates whether the distance flown was greater than 400 km.

Flights of class "first" or "business" result in higher emissions than "economy" flights, given that these seats occupy more space on the aircraft.

Emission factors are furthermore influenced by the trip being a long- vs. a short-haul one. For example, higher emissions per distance are associated with short-haul flights than with long-haul flights. This is partly because the landing and take-off cycles have a strong influence. On the other hand, a long-haul flight requires more fuel which adds weight and therefore influences the emission factor. Furthermore, long-haul flights spend more time in ‘critical altitude’ where non-CO2 climate effects take place, for example, water vapour (contrails) turns into a greenhouse gas.

This calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

This calculation method entails multiplying the provided number of nights and rooms by an emission factor which considers the hotel's rating (number of stars), location and timeframe.

The calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

The calculation method entails multiplying the distance travelled, considering the mode of transport and the number of travellers, by an emission factor customised for the specific travel type. Distance is extracted from the origin and destination location of the passenger. For flights, emission factors are influenced by the flight range, whether the flight is domestic or international, and which seat class is chosen. For the flight range, the calculation method differentiates whether the distance flown was greater than 400 km.

The calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Instead of actual distances travelled, the "Long- vs. short-haul" method calculates emissions based on average distances travelled per mode of transport and referred to as "long-haul" and "short-haul" trip respectively. These average distances which are applied globally are:

Rather than relying on actual distances travelled, the 'Long- vs. short-haul' calculation method calculates emissions using average distances per mode of transport, distinguished as 'long-haul' and 'short-haul' trips.

The inputted number of journeys per long- or short-haul categorisation, per the mode of transport, are multiplied by estimated distances and emission factors, which depend on the country of origin and timeframe. The globally applied average distances are as follows:

The emission factors used to calculate your final emissions vary between short- and long-haul trips. You will, for example, find higher emission factors associated with short-haul flights than with long-haul flights. That is partly because the landing and take-off cycles have a strong influence. On the other hand, a long-haul flight requires more fuel which adds weight and therefore influences the emission factor. Furthermore, long-haul flights spend more time in ‘critical altitude’ where non-CO2 climate effects take place, for example, water vapour (contrails) turns into a greenhouse gas.

This calculation method entails multiplying the expenditure used for business travel, accommodation or parking by a specific emission factor based on the Plan A Category applied.

The calculation methodology adheres to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Bring Your Own Emissions allows you to upload your own pre-calculated emissions to the Plan A platform. For more information, see here.