# What should I read from a coal invoice to calculate emissions?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/coal-invoice-what-to-read-for-emissions

The quantity received in tonnes, the grade or GCV, and the moisture basis. Emissions need tonnes burnt and energy content: tonnes × GCV converted to NCV × the IPCC factor for the coal type. If the invoice gives only a grade, use your own lab GCV.

## From the invoice

- Tonnes dispatched and received, and any shortage.
- Grade, GCV and the basis, such as air dried, as received or GAR.
- Total moisture and ash, if stated.

## From your records

- Tonnes actually burnt, from stock changes.
- Lab GCV for each lot.
- The basis used for the factor, kept consistent.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible reads fuel invoices into a dated, fingerprinted record, so each figure shows the quantity, factor and document it came from.

- [Indian coal emissions by GCV](https://senseible.earth/answers/indian-coal-emissions-by-gcv)
- [GCV or NCV?](https://senseible.earth/answers/gcv-vs-ncv-in-fuel-emission-calculation)
- [Imported coal GAR and NAR](https://senseible.earth/answers/imported-coal-gar-nar-emission-factor)

Sources: [2006 IPCC Guidelines, Volume 2: Energy](https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol2.html), [GHG Protocol Corporate Standard](https://ghgprotocol.org/corporate-standard)

Last reviewed 2026-10-22.