GLOBAL CARBON DATABASE

The world's largest agricultural emissions database

The Global Carbon Database delivers vetted emission factors for fast and credible climate reporting

Learn more about the GCD

Credible emissions data for food and agriculture 

License the GCD to establish an emissions baseline for corporate carbon accounting and reporting. Identify hotspots, meet CDP and SBTi reporting standards, and prepare for future emissions reduction planning — all without a full-scale platform rollout.

Available with regionalized datasets, at the ingredient, product or category emissions level.

Access the GCD

BENEFITS

Why the Global Carbon Database?

Quick Time to Value

  • Access audit-ready emission factors immediately
  • Start simple, expand when ready
  • Budget-friendly access to trusted data
  • Immediate identification of hot spots

Food System Expertise

  • Purpose-built for food and agriculture
  • Granular coverage including processed ingredients and researched ingredient concentrations
  • Built with HowGood’s Carbon Trust certified footprint methodology

Future Growth Pathway

  • Built on GHG Protocol, ISO 14067, and PACT frameworks
  • Seamless transition to HowGood’s full carbon accounting platform
  • Visibility into material hot spots for efficient reduction planning

Beyond global averages

The Global Carbon Database delivers emission factors at the ingredient, product, and category level, giving you the right level of detail for your reporting needs.

With region-specific datasets, you can align your baselines to the geographies where your business operates rather than relying on generic global averages.

Get your emissions baseline

Audit-ready and aligned to industry reporting frameworks

Built on Carbon Trust–certified methodology and aligned with GHG Protocol and ISO 14067, the Global Carbon Database delivers defensible carbon data structured for CDP, SBTi, CSRD, and GRI reporting.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Global Carbon Database (GCD)?

The GCD is a plug-and-play library of food-specific carbon emission factors. It provides thousands of ingredient, product, and category-level values that can be used for carbon accounting, regulatory reporting, and emissions reduction planning.

How is the Global Carbon Database different than other emission factor databases?

Unlike generic lifecycle databases, the GCD is designed specifically for food and agriculture. It includes realistic ingredient concentrations, processed foods, and geographically-sensitive data, offering far greater accuracy and relevance for food companies than global averages.

Which reporting standards does the GCD align with?

The GCD’s methodology is audit-ready and aligned with the GHG Protocol, ISO 14067, and the PACT framework. It also supports reporting to frameworks like CDP, SBTi, CSRD, and GRI.

Who should use the Global Carbon Database?

The GCD is ideal for food and beverage companies that need quick, credible carbon baselines but don’t have the time, budget, or resources for a fully customized footprinting solution. It’s also a fit for companies already using another carbon accounting platform but still seeking more granular and location-relevant food-specific emission factors.

Can the GCD be tailored to my company's needs?

Yes. Emission factors are available at the ingredient, product, and category level, with the option to regionalize datasets (e.g., EU-specific or US-specific values). This flexibility allows companies to align carbon baselines to their actual sourcing geographies. For supplier-specific emission factors, you may want to explore HowGood's full carbon accounting platform, Latis.

Is the GCD scalable if we want to go deeper later?

Absolutely. Because it shares the same Carbon Trust–verified methodology as HowGood’s full carbon accounting platform, Latis, you can start with the GCD and later expand into more detailed supply chain footprinting without having to re-baseline.

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