Guides
Find guides available to help you get started with the Farm Carbon Calculator. Read our published methodology, updates we have made to the calculator, corrections made, and a list of references used.
Quick Start Guide
If you are new or unsure start here by downloading this step-by-step guide to completing the Farm Carbon Calculator. If you prefer, watch our video to see this process on screen.
Quick Start Video Download Quick Start Guide Guide (PDF, 2.3mb)
The below guide is for farmers in Scotland who need a Carbon Audit for the Whole Farm Plan Scheme.
Download Carbon Audits in Scotland Guide (PDF, 2.65mb)
Gathering Your Data Guide
Find out how to gather the information from your farm to begin a carbon footprint. Gathering data is often the most time consuming part of doing your carbon footprint so it is important to know where to begin.
Download Gathering Your Data Guide (PDF, 1.97mb)
Data Collection Spreadsheet
This spreadsheet can help you gather the data you will need for the Carbon Calculator as it covers all available items you can enter, the units required, and includes helpful hints. Shortened versions are available for organic farmers & growers, and farms without livestock.
Download spreadsheet spreadsheet – organic spreadsheet – no livestock
Practical Guide to Soil Carbon
Download this excellent resource which tells you how to measure and analyse Soil Organic Matter and Soil Carbon, plus a range of other proxy soil health measurements. Start here if preparing data for Soil Organic Matter for entry into the Calculator.
Download Monitoring Soil Carbon Guide (PDF, 442Kb)
Guide to Creating Overheads Reports and Product Footprints
This more advanced guide explains how to use the calculator to create robust and accurate product footprints on your farm. Find out how to separate your farm overheads emissions on your farm, and after that to create carbon footprints for products which could be shared with others throughout the supply chain or further afield.
Watch Video Download Overheads and Product Footprints Guide (PDF, 3.47mb)
Methodology
What’s changed in the April 2025 update?
What’s Changed? April 2025 (PDF 2.91Mb)
Methodology of the Calculator
An overview of how the calculations behind the Calculator are made and the references upon which they are based:
Download Calculator Methodology v.3.2 (PDF, 3.06MB)
Download References List (PDF, 139Kb)
Where errors in the calculator have been fixed to previous versions of the Calculator these are listed in the document below.
Corrections to Farm Carbon Calculator
Each year we commission an independent review of the methodology which underpins our Calculator - to make sure we're giving the most accurate carbon footprints possible. Read about our latest review by The Carbon Trust.
Older updates
Terms
Terms and Conditions
Users of the calculator agree to our Terms and Conditions available online.