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How will my calculations change with the update to new (AR5) coefficients?

The switch to align Agrecalc with the national GHG inventories across the UK governments is imminent. We are moving to using the coefficients from the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report, also known as AR5. We explain what it means for your carbon footprint results and how to interpret them.

In one of our previous blogs, we’ve informed you how coefficients for calculating emissions from methane and nitrous oxide will be changing in Agrecalc Cloud.

With the change to the coefficients being imminent in the current version of Agrecalc, we’d like to explain what it means for our users and how it will benefit you.

What are the coefficients used in GHG emissions calculations?

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol supplies the world’s most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards. They are based on IPCC Assessment Reports, of which there are several.

The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, 2014, known as AR5, is now used for national reporting purposes but the UK government. However, the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4, from 2007) values are also sometimes still used for inventory and reporting purposes.

The latest Report – known as AR6 – was published by the IPCC in 2021, and the values from it will be used in future iterations of Agrecalc, once it becomes the standard reporting methodology (it has not been fully accepted yet by the UK governments).

The full list of all greenhouse gases and their Global Warming Potential (GWP) can be found on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol website.

"Updating to the AR5 reporting metrics will enable full alignment with national and international reporting standards. It means that our reports will never equalise your footprint with that of an overseas product, though at the same time it enables a thorough comparison."

Dr Rachael Ramsey, Agrecalc Head of Science and Research

What are the coefficients used in the current Agrecalc platform?

The version of Agrecalc today uses AR4.

However, as of Friday, 3 November 2023, Agrecalc will be updated to AR5 GWP metrics to align with current national (UK Government) and international reporting requirements.

The change from AR4 to AR5 will first happen on the current version of Agrecalc, available at app.agrecalc.com.

As the migrations to Agrecalc Cloud happen, the AR5 will already be implemented there. Going forward, additional reporting metric of GWP* will be available for calculation of methane emissions.

What does that mean for my results in a carbon footprint report?

These enhancements to the Agrecalc model mean the same input data will yield slightly different results in the updated version. 

Emission estimates will differ slightly from the previous version. In most reports, these updates may lead to a modest reduction in total emissions.

Due to the automatic recalculation of the results, it will mean that: 

  • The figures in your reports will look slightly different.
  • The updated methane coefficients from AR5 mean that emissions from methane will have a slightly greater impact on overall CO2-eq emissions.
  • The updated nitrous oxide coefficients will lead to lower emission estimates from fertiliser application and livestock manure and organic materials storage and application.

The relative contribution of different emission sources to total farm emissions remains similar. Emission estimates from certain sources and enterprises may differ significantly.

"The shift towards more precise calculations will give our users better understanding of how to move towards reducing emissions. When you combine those with year-on-year reporting, the users can follow their progress and have clear evidence of what mitigation measures have worked for their business."

Julian Bell, Head of Business Development

The journey to a more sustainable agriculture industry relies on innovation and continuous improvement. The results generated by the latest version of Agrecalc provide a clearer, more accurate picture of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming activities.

As we move forward in our efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable agriculture, it’s crucial to embrace tools and technologies that are rooted in robust scientific foundations. With better science guiding our way, we have a stronger foundation upon which to build a future where agriculture and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

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