Can I use my coal's lab carbon content instead of a default factor?
Yes, and it is often more accurate. If a lab gives the carbon percentage on an as-received basis, CO2 equals carbon mass times 44/12, with full oxidation as the IPCC 2006 default assumes. Use the same basis as the weight you burned, and test each lot or a fixed schedule.
The formula
CO2 (t) = coal burned (t, as received) x carbon fraction (as received) x 44/12.
Get the basis right
- Air-dried or dry-basis results must be converted to as-received using total moisture.
- Sample to a written method, so results represent the lot.
- Keep lab certificates with the invoices.
When a default is fine
For small users, the IPCC default by coal type or a GCV-based estimate is accepted. State which you used.
Worked example (illustrative)
- Coal burned: 1,000 t as received
- Carbon content (as received): 45%
- CO2: 1,000 x 0.45 x 44/12 = 1,650 t
Illustrative carbon content. Use your own lab result on the same basis.
What Senseible does here
Senseible keeps each bill and invoice behind every figure, dated and fingerprinted, so a reviewer can trace a number back to the document it came from.
Sources: 2006 IPCC Guidelines, Volume 2 Energy, 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, GHG Protocol Corporate Standard
Last reviewed 2026-10-22.