Carbon Calculator
Try our free Carbon Calculator
Get a free, accurate carbon footprint for the solutions and services we deliver with QuickCarbon, and use it as your credible benchmark to kick-start your carbon reduction plans.
QuickCarbon is the free version of our Carbon Calculator. It is designed to help you determine your carbon footprint by analysing your expenditure on the services we provide. You can use it as a benchmark to assess your emissions or as a comparison tool to evaluate how switching to Paragon can help you achieve your net zero targets.
Product and service-level footprinting
Paragon's comprehensive product and service-level Carbon Calculator supports our clients with their net zero goals, providing better transparency and enabling you to plan and project the impact of your carbon reduction plans. We provide detailed product-level carbon footprints, enabling you to forecast and measure the impact of your carbon reduction plans.
Carbon Reduction Plans
Using the findings from the Carbon Calculator, we can design a product-level Carbon Reduction Plan in line with your Net Zero commitments. We'll also provide the option to make your work carbon neutral through a range of accredited offsetting schemes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the methodology?
Our Carbon Calculator provides an estimated carbon footprint based on your spend and Paragon’s own footprint. It uses a quantified CO2e measurement based on £ spend for each business service, and covers Scope 1, 2 and upstream Scope 3 emissions to provide a benchmark to measure future performance.
How the free carbon footprint is calculated
Step 1: Client Revenue
Client revenue is reported for each of our business lines and for each client.
Step 2: Carbon Emissions
Scope 1, 2 and site-generated Scope 3 carbon emissions are calculated for each site, using GHG Protocol. Each site has a primary function aligned with our business lines. Carbon emissions for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Site Scope 3 per £ of revenue for each business line are calculated.
Scope 3 Carbon Emissions - Purchased Goods and Services
Calculated per category of supplier using Extended Environmental Input Output (EEIO) methodology. The Supplier category is allocated to applicable business lines based on % turnover per business line and the applicability of each supplier category. Supplier Scope 3 total carbon emissions for each function are then divided by £ revenue for each function to get kgCO2.
This gives us a carbon footprint per £ of revenue linked to each business unit, as well as an average carbon footprint per £ revenue for each function. We have the client revenue split per function so we can allocate a carbon emission per client revenue for each function.
If the client's postage account is held by Paragon then it is also included.
Does this cover the full lifecycle of the product?
Yes, the Quick Play estimate covers supply chain emissions for raw materials and other purchased goods and services, product production and conversion of raw materials, delivery, and end of life treatment. ISO14067 methodology has been followed. The Quick Play calculation excludes postal delivery.
How do you calculate the emissions from purchased goods and services?
Paragon initially assessed emissions from purchased goods and services using Extended Environmental Input Output (EEIO) analysis based on spend category with each supplier. Paragon is working to improve the quality of supply chain emissions data by migrating our top carbon producing suppliers to more accurate carbon reporting methodology of product or activity-based data.
Is Paragon’s carbon footprint externally verified?
Yes, Paragon’s own carbon footprint, covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, is externally validated and verified by JRP Solutions. A report can be provided on request.
How accurate is the lifecycle carbon footprint?
Our Quick Play Carbon Calculator methodology uses a combination of industry standard carbon conversion rates for our purchased goods and services, plus our own verified data for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. As a result, our Quick Play Calculator is more accurate than a purely industry-based spend analysis. However, it is not as accurate as a lifecycle assessment footprint. Please get in contact for information about product lifecycle carbon assessments.
Is my footprint good or bad?
Your carbon footprint is neither good nor bad. It provides a benchmark and starting point against which to compare future emissions, or to track the progress of carbon reduction programmes.
How can I reduce my footprint?
There are simple changes you can make to start reducing the carbon footprint of products and services. Please get in contact to discuss further.
Can I make my footprint carbon neutral?
Yes, we can provide access to a wide range of externally verified carbon offsetting schemes. We would advocate carbon offsetting alongside a broader carbon reduction programme.
Can I make my footprint carbon neutral?
We can provide a more detailed analysis of the lifecycle carbon footprint of products and services that gives a breakdown of carbon emissions across the different products, services and lifecycle stages. Please get in contact for more information.
What are Paragon doing to reduce their carbon footprint?
We have a Carbon Net Zero Plan in place that is aligned with the SBTi Carbon Net Zero Standard. We are committed to a 46.2% reduction across our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030. Please click here to view our Carbon Net Zero Plan.
General terms and conditions of the Carbon Calculator
- Paragon is providing this tool to calculate carbon emissions based on data entered into the system. Therefore, as a business, we cannot be held responsible if the client uses non-scientific methods when collating data.
- Business data will be retained for a period of up to 12 months.
- The use of this tool is not permitted for usage on behalf of another business - only direct purposes.
- The use of the tool is not limited and can be advocated/shared using the web address.