How are business flight emissions calculated?

This article summarises the key parameters used in the model to calculate emissions from business flights.

Business Flights 
This Scope 3 emission source is generally one of the largest emission sources for organisations. However, post COVID-19 there has been a significant reduction in the amount of business flights organisations undertake. As such, this emission source may now be lower than pre 2020. Emissions from business flights can be calculated in two ways as follows. 

The Calculation Method

Expenditure Model
The total dollars spent on domestic and international business flights can be used to calculate emissions from this source. The expenditure model uses EEIO factors to determine the greenhouse gas impact per dollar spent as follows:

GHG = $ spent on business flights * EEIO factor 

Kilometres Travelled Model 

This model provides a more accurate estimate of greenhouse gas emissions from business flights. Using greater circle distances between airports, the total kilometres travelled per flight leg is calculated. The passenger air class type and flight haul length are also taken into account in this model. 

Emission factors for business travel are dependent on the location of your office. Where country specific factors are not available, DEFRA emission factors have been used. Emissions are calculated as follows:

GHG = total pax-kilometres * emission factor