New DESNZ 2026 Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors Released
The latest DESNZ greenhouse gas conversion factors and accompanying methodology have now been published.
These are the UK's carbon conversion factors and are widely used by organisations across the UK and around the world to calculate, report and benchmark greenhouse gas emissions. If you're preparing carbon footprints, ESG disclosures or sustainability reports, you can find the latest factors’ update for your calculations by following the below button.
What's new in the 2026 GHG Conversion Factors?
A summary of the key changes in the 2026 Government Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (hereafter the 2026 update) is provided below.
Further information is provided in the Methodology Paper and Major Changes Report which are published alongside the conversion factors at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-conversion-factors-for-company-reporting.
As a general policy, previously published conversion factors are not revised to reflect new data or methodological improvements. However, factors may be republished where an update is considered significant or corrects an implementation error. Any republished factors are clearly identified in the accompanying documentation. Users should decide whether to apply updated factors to previous reporting.
- Updated UK electricity methodology
Affected tabs: UK electricity; Transmission and distribution; related factors including Rail, xEVs and Homeworking.
A new methodology uses more up-to-date electricity generation data, reducing the data lag from two years to one. This better reflects the current carbon intensity of the UK grid and results in a significantly lower electricity emissions factor compared with 2025.
Implication: Due to the methodology change, there is a significant decrease in the electricity conversion factor in the 2026 publication compared to 2025. However, the affected factors should be used as normal.
- Rail factors updated
Rail emissions factors have been updated using the latest data from the Office of Rail and Road and Transport for London, replacing pre-COVID data last updated in 2021.
Implication: The affected factors should be used as normal.
- Improved guidance for electric and hybrid vehicles
Affected tabs: Passenger vehicles; Delivery vehicles; UK electricity for EVs; UK electricity T&D for EVs; Business travel – land; WTT – passenger vehicles & travel – land; Freighting goods; WTT – Freighting goods; Managed assets – vehicles.
The FAQs on 'Which tables do I need to use to capture all the emissions resulting from the use of my plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs)?' now provide clearer guidance on calculating Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs.
Implication: The affected factors should be used as normal.
- HGV naming and HGV tables layout changes
Some HGV category names have been updated for clarity. Tables have also been reordered to improve usability.
Implication: The affected factors should be used as normal.