Help and Information

The greenhouse gas calculator has been developed to provide an estimate of farm-based emissions in Queensland. Whilst based on best available information, it is not definitive and should be used for information only as there is an element of uncertainty associated with estimating greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural enterprises and ecosystems.

Instructions

• 1. The region of interest should first be selected, this ensures that the correct climate and soil data is automatically input. Heat, moisture and soil texture all have a significant impact on rate of decomposition of organic matter. Please note this is generalised information for large regions and may be not be exactly the same climate and soil conditions for your farm.
• 2. The information then required can be obtained from farm records. All information is lost when you end the program.
• 3. If you make a mistake, click the 'Clear Fields' button at the bottom of the calculator. If you wish to select a different region, then select the link in the top-left of the screen (titled 'Select Your Region') and start again.
• 4. If certain 'Result' aspects don't appear in the results section after you calculated, (such as the Calculator Pie Chart), then you may have disabled the Javascript for your browser exploring the Internet. The Greenhouse Gas Calculator needs Javascript enabled to function properly.

Calculations

All emissions are represented in relation to carbon dioxide and its Global Warming Potential (GWP) and expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂-e). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced on combustion of fuels and during cultivation of soils. Methane (CH₄) is a gas produced by animals and has a Global Warming Potential equivalent to 23 times CO₂ molecules. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is emitted from nitrogen sources, including fertilisers, urine and dung and has a Global Warming Potential 296 times that of CO₂. CO₂-e = 1 * CO₂ emitted + 23 * CH₄ emitted + 296 * N₂O emitted.