GovWire

Carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent is a measure of how much a gas contributes to global warming, relative to carbon dioxide.

To calculate the carbon dioxide equivalent of a quantity of fluorinated greenhouse gas (F gas), multiply the mass of the gas (in metric tonnes) by the gass global warming potential (GWP).

Product labels on equipment will usually show the mass of F gas in kilograms. To convert kilograms to metric tonnes, divide by 1,000.

Find out the global warming potentials for F gases.

Example calculation

As an example, you may need to work out the CO2 equivalent for 10kg of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 404a. To calculate the tonnes of CO2 equivalent:

1. Divide the mass of the F gas in kilograms by 1,000 to calculate metric tonnes: 10kg 1,000 = 0.01 tonnes.
2. Multiply the mass (in metric tonnes) of F gas by the GWP of the F gas: 0.01 tonnes 3,922 GWP = 39.2 tonnes CO2 equivalent.

When to use CO2 equivalent

You should calculate the CO2 equivalent when you:

• produce or import F gas and equipment into Great Britain
• check if services bans apply to your F gas equipment
• check your equipment for leaks
• record and report F gas and equipment pre-charged with F gas