Adding Emission Activities: Manually, from Files, or Automatically

You can add emission activities to an organisational unit in three ways:

• Manually, when you want to select activity data and emission factors yourself.

• From files, when you want to import multiple activities using a template.

• Automatically, when a supported calculation workflow is available for the selected Scope.

First, open the relevant organisational unit and the Scope or Subscope you want to report on. Then select Add activity.

Choose an input method

Add an activity manually

1. Select Manual.

2. Enter a clear activity description.
   

3. Select an appropriate emission factor from the database or use a custom emission factor.
   

4. Enter the consumption or activity value in the relevant unit.
   

You can also create an activity before an emission factor or consumption value is available—for example, to prepare data collection. Add the missing information later before analysing the calculated emissions.

Tip: Use the manual method when you have a supplier-specific factor or want full control over the calculation basis.

Individual Value Input for combined units

If an emission factor uses a combined measurement unit, such as weight × distance, you can enable Individual Value Input. This lets you record multiple component values within one activity, for example individual transport legs.

All component values use the same emission factor. The tool adds them together and calculates the activity total. Find more information on individual value input in this article. 

Add activities from files

Use From files to import multiple activities with a template.

1. Download the appropriate template.

2. Enter the activities in the designated columns.

3. Check mandatory fields, units, and organisational-unit assignments.

4. Upload the completed file.

5. Review the imported activities and resolve any errors or warnings.

Global Upload is particularly useful when preparing activities for multiple organisational units in one file. Always use the template intended for the relevant Scope and workflow. Required fields depend on the calculation method.

Add an activity automatically

Automatic input is available for the following Scope 3 categories:

• Scope 3.1 – Purchased goods and services (more information here) 

• Scope 3.4 – Upstream transportation and distribution (more information here) 

• Scope 3.6 – Business travel (more information here) 

• Scope 3.9 – Downstream transportation and distribution (more information here) 

The required information and calculation logic vary by Scope:

For Scope 3.1, the automatic calculation is spend-based. Transport and business-travel activities use their respective, specific workflows.

Important: Automatic calculations provide a result quickly but give you less control over the underlying calculation. If you need to use a different emission factor or calculation approach, create the activity manually.

Grouping or Individual Value Input?

Use Grouping when several independent activities should be organised and analysed together. Each activity in a group can use its own emission factor and activity data.

Use Individual Value Input when several component values belong to one activity and should be calculated with the same emission factor.

For more information, see Grouping Emission Activities Within a Scope.

Check after saving

For every activity, verify:

• organisational unit, Scope, and Subscope;

• activity description and reporting year;

• entered values and units;

• emission factor or source path of the automatic calculation;

• calculated emissions.

Consistent naming and traceable source data make emissions easier to review and update later.