Fugitive emissions result from the intentional or unintentional direct release to the atmosphere of GHG compounds from various types of equipment and processes. These may include equipment leaks from joints, seals, packing, gaskets as well as methane emissions from coal mines and venting. Also, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions that are emitted during the use of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and methane leakages from gas transport.

The main sources of fugitive emissions are:

Emissions from use of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment

Most companies’ sources of fugitive emissions come from these systems.
The refrigerant gasses used (e.g. HFC and PFC) contribute greatly to global warming when released into the atmosphere.
Includes household refrigeration, domestic air conditioning and heat pumps, mobile air conditioning, chillers, retail food refrigeration, cold storage warehouses, refrigerated transport, industrial process refrigeration, and commercial unitary air conditioning systems.

Emissions from fixed and portable fire suppression equipment

Direct emissions from purchased industrial gasses

These gasses may be used in processes such as manufacturing, testing, or laboratory applications.

1) How this Category aligns to carbon accounting standards

The Cozero category, Equipment gas leakage, is a source of Scope 1 fugitive emissions, as defined by the GHG Protocol. All emission calculation methodologies follow the requirements for this scope of emissions accounting.

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard

The GHG Protocol Corporate Standard is an internationally-recognized go-to standard for estimating and reporting corporate GHG emissions. GHG emissions are categorized into three Scopes. For further information see here.

Scope 1 includes direct GHG emissions that originate from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting company, e.g. generation of electricity, heat and steam, physical or chemical processing, transportation of materials and fugitive emissions. They are the most important source of emissions because they are the direct result of companies’ activities.

2) Calculation methods

Here are the various calculation methods available in Cozero Log for calculating Scope 1 emissions from Equipment gas leakage. Users should choose the method that is the most appropriate to the data available to them, to their business goals and the significance of the emissions of the category.

2a. Screening method

In order to calculate fugitive emissions, companies should begin by conducting a screening analysis to assess the significance of these emissions.

If the emissions are significant for your organization, a more accurate calculation approach to quantify fugitive emissions needs to be conducted. This can be achieved through a sales-based approach (based on the amount of refrigerant purchased and used) or the mass balance approach (for more information see the EPA fugitive emissions guidance).

The screening method requires little data collection efforts as it relies on default factors and assumptions. Here is how the screening method works in Cozero:

Installation emissions: Identify any new equipment that was installed during the reporting period and was charged (filled) on-site.
Formula: Number of units * Equipment charge capacity (kg)* installation emission factor (% of capacity) * Refrigerant emission factor
Disposal emissions: Identify any pieces of equipment that were disposed of on-site during the reporting period. Emissions from equipment that was sent off site for third party recycling, reclamation or disposal are not the responsibility of your organization.
Formula: Number of units * Equipment charge capacity (kg) * Capacity remaining at disposal (% of capacity)* Refrigerant recovered (%) * Refrigerant emission factor
Operating emissions: Estimate losses from equipment leaks and service losses while using the equipment.
Formula: Number of units * Equipment charge capacity (kg) * Amount of time used in reporting period* Annual leak rate (% of capacity) * Refrigerant emission factor

Below you can find the user input required to calculate the Log. All other activity data and emission factors needed for the calculation are default values provided by Cozero.

Activity Data:
- Type of gas used in the equipment
- Number of units in operation during the reporting period
- Time of usage within the Log reporting period
- Number of disposed units during the reporting period
- Number of installed units during the reporting period

How to report emissions in Cozero?

Step 1: Select the Log called “Equipment gas leakage”
Step 2: Select the subcategory (type of equipment) you want to report on
Step 3: Select “Screening method” as calculation method
Step 4: Select the type of gas used in the equipment as source of data
Step 5: Enter the number of operational, disposed and installed units as well as the months of usage. Note that you must separate groups of equipment units according to their time of usage and gas used

2b. Gas leakage - Refill volume method

In this method, users can enter the amount of refrigerant gas which was refilled in the system over a time period.

How to report emissions in Cozero?

Step 1: Select the Log called “Equipment gas leakage”
Step 2: Select the subcategory (type of equipment) you want to report on
Step 3: Select “Gas leakage - refill volume” as calculation method
Step 4: Select the type of gas used in the equipment as source of data
Step 5: Enter the amount consumed or refilled within the reference period of the Log. Note that you must separate groups of equipment units according to their time of usage and gas used.

2c. Direct emissions input

Users can enter the amount of emissions in CO2e directly in the Log. Make sure of the accuracy of data used in this estimation.

3) Where can I find the relevant data?

Activity Data:
- HVAC or refrigeration maintenance records
- Purchasing records of fugitive gas and equipment units

To find out more about data collection, you can refer to the article about Data Sourcing.

4) Glossary of equipment types

Equipment type	Description
Domestic Refrigeration	Refrigerated appliances including refrigerators, chest freezers, and fridge freezers.
Small Commercial Stand-Alone Refrigeration Units	Small, hermetic, stand-alone refrigeration units including ice cream cabinets and drinking water coolers. These systems are commonly used in retail food stores but are also found in pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality and catering outlets such as hotels, hospitals, and schools.
Condensing Units	Refrigeration systems composed of one (or two) compressor(s), one condenser, and one receiver assembled into a unit, which is located external to the sales area. These units are typically installed in small shops and have refrigeration capacities ranging from 1kW to 20 kW.
Centralized Refrigeration Systems	Refrigeration systems that are comprised of racks of compressors installed in a machinery room. These systems are commonly used in supermarket applications.
Industrial Systems	Refrigeration systems including industrial process refrigeration and cold storage.
Small Stationary Air Conditioning	Includes small self-contained ACs (including window units) and non-ducted split ACs. Units are used primarily in commercial applications, but there is some use in the residential sector. System cooling capacities typically range from 3 to 12 kW.
Medium Stationary Air Conditioning	Includes ducted split, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) non-ducted split, ducted split, and packaged AC. Units are used in the commercial UK sector. System cooling capacities typically range from 12 to 30 kW.
Large Stationary Air Conditioning (Chillers)	Large, indirect chillers used for commercial comfort air conditioning.
Heat Pumps	Residential and small commercial heat pumps, including air-source heat pumps (ASHP) (air-to-air and air-to-water systems) and ground-source heat pumps (GSHP).
Land Transport Refrigeration	Refrigerated road vehicles (i.e., light commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers) and intermodal containers.
Marine Transport	Refrigerated general cargo ships, container ships and fishing vessels (1,000 GT and above).
Light Duty Mobile Air Conditioning	AC systems for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes).
Other Mobile Air Conditioning	AC systems for trucks (over 3.5 tonnes), buses/coaches, semi-trailers, trailers, and railcars.

Source: UK Government (DEFRA)

5) Further resources

GHG Protocol Guidance