Count Your Carbon is back! Updates for 2025-26

In response to feedback we’ve received over the past year, we’ve made some updates. With new resources, new features and an improved calculation method, Count Your Carbon is now better than ever!

• We’ve updated our data gathering guidance and resources

We’ve created a new data gathering approach which we hope will make the process of gathering and entering your data easier. We now recommend using our Data Collection Sheet (compatible with Microsoft Excel) to gather your data.

Click here to read the new guidance and download the spreadsheet

 

• We’ve updated the emissions factors

The emissions factors have been updated to the 2025 emissions factors.

 

• We’ve updated the built-in averages

The built-in averages, which allow you to use estimates where you can’t provide data, have been refined based on data from over 1800 carbon footprint reports. This means you can have even more confidence in your results where you’ve had to use averages.

 

• We’ve improved our approach to calculating and presenting uniform emissions

We have expanded the questions we ask about uniform to ask about the percentage of uniform and branded sports kit which is second-hand/re-worn. This allows us to more accurately calculate uniform emissions, and your emissions figure will demonstrate the impacts of taking positive action such as having a uniform bank in your school.

Following expert review and stakeholder feedback, and to better align with global carbon accounting guidelines, we have taken the decision to separate out uniform emissions from your total carbon footprint figure. You’ll still receive a figure for uniform emissions, but it will no longer be included in your main footprint. This change will be applied to all previous reports to allow for fairer year-on-year comparison. (Please note: it may take a short period of time for you to see this change applied to previously completed reports, we intend for this to change to be applied to all previous reports by the end of September)

 

• We’ve improved our approach to calculating staff and student commuting emissions

We now ask about the average distance staff travel to school, as well as the average distance students travel to school. This will make your staff commuting emissions more accurate.

 

• We’ve added electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles as options in the transport section

Battery-powered electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are now available as vehicle options in the transport section.

 

• We’ve removed the questions about composting garden and food waste

To streamline the waste section we’ve removed the questions which ask about composting of garden and food waste. It is now assumed that all food and garden waste indicated via the number of bins input in the bins question is sent for industrial composting. Waste accounts for a very small percentage of your footprint (generally <1%) therefore the impact of this change will be very minimal.

 

• We’ve removed the option to select an average for yes/no questions

To help improve our dataset, we’ve removed the option to select an average on selected yes/no questions. If you encounter a yes/no question to which you don’t know the answer, we recommend selecting ‘no’.

 

• We’ve added a review function

When you reach the end of the questions, you’ll be asked if you’d like to review your answers before completing your calculation. If you choose to do so, this will take you back to the first question so you can click through and review your answers to each question.

 

• We’ve improved the carbon footprint report in the dashboard

The way your carbon footprint data is presented within the dashboard has been improved. You’ll still see the pie chart and emissions over time chart, but you’ll also see a table which provides emissions figures, percentage figures, and scope labels. This will help you to more easily review your report in the dashboard and extract the data you need more efficiently.

 

• Coming soon: Methodology guide

This conclusive guide will provide an insight into the calculation method, helping you to understand exactly how we’re calculating your footprint and ensuring confidence in our approach. Check back soon for updates!

 

We hope these updates will improve your experience with Count Your Carbon, and that many of you will begin to see your carbon footprint decrease as you return to complete further calculations.

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.

The Eco-Schools Team