Event Footprint Calculator | Event Footprint

This calculator is intended to measure the approximate electricity use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with relatively simple events or multi-day conferences. If you would like to measure the environmental impact of a more complex entertainment event or a professional sports "Jewel event," please complete our consultation request form to obtain customized support.

what you will need to complete the calculator:

Download and print your checklist (PDF)—If you have this information available, this calculator should take about 10 minutes to complete.

why does my calculator show data that is already entered?

If your browser's cookies are enabled, the site will keep track of any data you've entered in a single session. To reset your calculation at any time, simply click the "RESET CALCULATOR" button in the banner above and all session data will be removed. If you don't see the "RESET CALCULATOR" button above, this means that no previously-entered data has been recorded.

measure first, then balance your use and emissions

At the end of the calculator, you will be presented with the estimated electricity use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with your event and a recommendation to balance all or a portion of this use and emissions with a corresponding volume of Renewable Energy Certificates, Carbon Offsets and Water Restoration Certificates^® from BEF.

What is the name of your event?

When will your event take place?

How many days is your event?

days

Do you know your event's exact electricity use?

Yes?

Select this option if you are able to obtain the exact electricity usage of your event facility for the duration of your event. Because this option uses actual electricity usage figures, it is the most accurate method of calculating electricity-related emissions associated with your event.

Event Building #1:

kWh

Event Building #0:

kWh

+ Add another building

No, I need to calculate according to averages

Select from the following options:

Calculate average use according to building type of each event facility?

This option provides a building-type specific estimation of your electricity use (and associated emissions). It is based on the national average electricity use per square foot for each building type listed—the calculator will automatically determine the per-day usage, and then multiply that number by the days of your event to arrive at a total usage figure specific to your event duration.

While not an exact measurement, this is a great option for event managers that do not own their facility and whose building type is listed in our drop-down menu. Because it is based on detailed research of a wide range of building types, it is more accurate than our last option, below. If you do not see your exact building type listed, you can either select the closest possible building type, or use the "calculate by square footage" option below.

SOURCE: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set9/2003html/c3.html

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

Calculate average use according to square footage of each event facility?

This option provides a non-building type specific estimation of your electricity use (and associated emissions). It is based on national average electricity use per square foot of commercial buildings in general—the calculator will automatically determine the per-day usage, and then multiply that number by the days of your event to arrive at a total usage figure specific to your event duration.

While this is a less accurate estimation than selecting your specific building type above, it is a good option to choose if you do not own your facility and your event's building type is not listed in our drop-down menu.

SOURCE: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set9/2003html/c3.html

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

Skip, I don't want to calculate electricity use

event lodging electricity use

Does your event require staff, presenters, attendees and/or exhibitor staff to stay in overnight lodging?

Yes

Approximately how many hotel rooms will your staff, presenters, attendees and exhibitors occupy for the duration of the event?

rooms

How many nights do you estimate they will spend at a hotel??

To estimate the number of nights of lodging, use this tip: A 3-day event typically involves 2 nights of overnight lodging where attendees are generally not traveling locally.

nights

No, skip this section

calculate emissions from fuel use

natural gas

Select one of the following options:

Skip, our event facility does not use natural gas

Calculate according to exact natural gas use?

This is the best option for event managers that are able to obtain exact natural gas usage of their event facility for the duration of the event. Because this option uses actual usage figures, it is the most accurate method of calculating natural gas-related emissions associated with your event.

Event Building #1:

Event Building #0:

+ Add another building

Calculate according to building type of each event facility?

This option provides a building-type specific estimation of your natural gas use (and associated emissions). It is based on the national average natural gas use per square foot for each building type listed—the calculator will automatically determine the per-day usage, and then multiply that number by the days of your event to arrive at a total usage figure specific to your event duration.

While not an exact measurement, this is a great option for event managers that do not know their exact natural gas usage and whose building type is listed in our drop-down menu. If you do not see your exact building type listed, select the closest possible building type—just be aware that this calculation is an estimate only. Unfortunately, national average natural gas figures for all commercial building types are not yet available as they are for electricity usage.

SOURCE: CBECS 2006,
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set9/2003html/c3.html

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

calculate emissions from fuel use

fuel oil

Select one of the following options:

Skip, our event facility does not use fuel oil

Calculate according to exact fuel oil use?

This is the best option for event managers able to obtain the exact fuel oil usage of your event facility for the duration of the event. Your fuel oil provider (utility) should be able to provide this figure. Because this option uses actual fuel oil consumption figures, it allows us to calculate the exact emissions associated with your usage. If you lease your event facilities or do not know your exact annual usage, use one of the options below to calculate usage by building type or square footage.

Event Building #1:

gallons

Event Building #0:

gallons

+ Add another building

Calculate according to the building type of each event facility?

This option provides a building-type specific estimation of your fuel oil use (and associated emissions). It is based on the national average fuel oil use per square foot for each building type listed—the calculator will automatically determine the per-day usage, and then multiply that number by the days of your event to arrive at a total usage figure specific to your event duration.

While not an exact measurement, this is a great option for event managers that do not own their event facilities and whose building type is listed in our drop-down menu. Because it is based on detailed research of a wide range of building types, it is more accurate than our last option, below. If you do not see your exact building type listed, you can select the closest possible building type—just be aware that this calculation is an estimate only. Or, use the "calculate by square footage" option below.

SOURCE: CBECS 2006 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set9/2003html/c3.html

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

Calculate according to square footage of each event facility?

This option provides a non-building type specific estimation of your fuel oil use (and associated emissions). It is based on national average fuel oil use per square foot of commercial buildings in general—the calculator will automatically determine the per-day usage, and then multiply that number by the days of your event to arrive at a total usage figure specific to your event duration.

While this is a less accurate estimation than selecting your specific building type above, it is a good option to choose if you do not know your exact fuel oil consumption and your event's building type is not listed in our drop-down menu.

SOURCE: CBECS 2006 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/cbecs2003/detailed_tables_2003/2003set9/2003html/c3.html

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

calculate emissions from fleet vehicles

Does your organization own any vehicles that were used in association with this event?

Yes

Select from the following options:

Calculate according to the exact fuel economy of each vehicle?

This is the best option for event managers that track the fuel economy (miles per gallon) of their fleet vehicles. Enter ONLY the miles driven for the duration of the event for each vehicle listed.

Because this option uses actual fuel economy for each vehicle in your fleet, it allows us to calculate the exact emissions associated with your fleet vehicles. If you do not track your fleet vehicle fuel economy, you can use the option to "calculate by national average fuel economy" below.

Vehicle #1:

mpg miles

Vehicle #0:

mpg miles

+ Add another vehicle

Calculate according to national average fuel economy of each vehicle?

This option provides a vehicle-type specific estimation of emissions. It is based on the national average fuel economy (miles per gallon) and associated carbon dioxide emissions for each vehicle make and model listed. Enter ONLY the miles driven for the duration of the event for each vehicle listed.

While not an exact measurement, this is a great option for event managers whose vehicles makes and models are listed in our drop-down menu. If you do not see your exact vehicle make and model listed, you can select the closest possible vehicle—just be aware that the emissions are an estimate only.

SOURCE: http://fueleconomy.gov

Vehicle #1:

miles

Vehicle #0:

miles

+ Add another vehicle

No, skip this section

calculate emissions from auto travel from rented vehicles

Did any event staff, presenters, attendees and/or exhibitor staff use auto travel from rented vehicles to attend your event? ?

For ease of use, BEF will use the fuel economy national average to calculate rented vehicle emissions for attendees, presenters and event staff. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy, http://www.fueleconomy.gov

Yes

Please enter the average distance traveled for your event using non-fleet vehicles by event staff, presenters, attendees and exhibitor staff

miles

Please enter total number of event staff, presenters, attendees and exhibitor staff attending the event that traveled by automobile

people

No, skip this question

calculate emissions from air travel

Did any event staff, presenters, attendees and/or exhibitor staff fly to attend your event?

Yes

Each time a plane takes off or lands, a certain volume of greenhouse gases are emitted. That's why we ask you to enter both the the total air miles traveled AND the number of flight segments these air miles represent.

Please enter the total or estimated air miles from staff, presenter, attendee and exhibitor staff travel ?

For assistance in calculating your total annual air miles, use the online air mileage calculator at: www.webflyer.com/travel/mileage_calculator/. This calculator accounts specifically for miles traveled by commercial airplanes. SOURCE: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, UK, www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13773-ghg-conversion-factors-2012.pdf

miles

Please enter the total number of flight segments (i.e. one-way flights) your staff, presenters, attendees and exhibitors took in association with your event ?

What is a flight "segment"?—To determine your total number of flight segments, count each nonstop one-way trip as a single segment.

flights

Do you want to account for radiative forcing in association with your air travel emissions??

What is Radiative Forcing?—Flying has other detrimental effects, in addition to carbon emissions. Radiative forcing is a multiplier that is added to the carbon emissions factor, that quantifies these additional effects; including the fact that emitting GHGs in the upper atmosphere has a greater heat-trapping effect than emitting GHGs at ground level. To learn more about radiative forcing, visit the IPCC's report.

No (default), do not adjust my emissions subtotal

Yes, add this figure (emissions subtotal below will be adjusted)

No, skip this section

In this section you will calculate the estimated water footprint of your event. Please note that these are estimates only, based on national averages of water use by facility type and facility size as well as the number of event attendees. In addition, we use averages to estimate the volume of water used by typical overnight guest lodging.

Do you know your event facility's exact water use?

Yes?

This is the best option for event managers that can access their event facility's exact water usage, either from your monthly water bills or on an annual summary from your water utility.

Event Building #1:

gallons

Event Building #0:

gallons

+ Add another building

No, I need to calculate water usage by building type?

This option provides an estimation of your water use. It is based on the national average water use per square foot. While not an exact measurement, this is a great option for events that aren't able to determine their exact water usage. SOURCE: American Water Works Association

Event Building #1:

sq ft

Event Building #0:

sq ft

+ Add another building

Skip this question

event lodging water use

Does your event require staff, presenters, attendees and/or exhibitor staff to stay in overnight lodging?

Yes

Approximately how many hotel rooms will your staff, presenters, attendees and exhibitors occupy for the duration of the event?

rooms

How many nights do you estimate they will spend at a hotel??

To estimate the number of nights of lodging, use this tip: A 3-day event typically involves 2 nights of overnight lodging where attendees are generally not traveling locally.

nights

No, skip this section

The quantities and percentages below are rounded to the nearest whole number. Individual figures may not add up precisely to the totals listed.

electricity use calculation	use in kilowatt-hours	% of total use
Event facility electricity use	0 kWh	0%
Event lodging electricity use	0 kWh	0%
total estimated electricity use	0 kWh	100%

greenhouse gas emissions calculation	emissions in pounds of CO2e	emissions in metric tons of CO2e	% of total emissions
Natural gas emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%
Fuel oil emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%
Fleet vehicles emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%
Rented vehicles emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%
Air travel emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%
total estimated CO2e emissions	0 lbs	0 mt	0%

water use calculation	use in gallons	% of total use
Event facility water use	0 gallons	0%
Event lodging water use	0 gallons	0%
total estimated water use	0 gallons	100%

now, match your event's electricity use—recommended product

Buy blend RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) from BEF

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)—U.S.

Through the purchase of BEF U.S. RECs, your business can affordably purchase the environmental benefits of clean, renewable energy. Our Green-e Energy Certified U.S. RECs represent projects in the United States where clean energy has been delivered to the North American power grid to replace fossil fuel-based electricity. One REC represents the non-power environmental attributes of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (1 megawatt hour) of renewable energy. Your purchase directly supports renewable energy generated from sources such as wind and biogas .You will see the price terms and conditions and the mix of resources in the product prior to finalizing your purchase.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of use to match	unit price	quantity	cost
	$8.00 per 1,000 kWh		$0.00

add to cart

now, balance your event's emissions—recommended products

Carbon Offsets—U.S.

U.S. Carbon Offsets represent projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the United States. These projects capture, destroy or reduce harmful greenhouse gases emitted from sources such as animal waste, landfills, fossil fuel use or refrigerants. By choosing our U.S. Carbon Offset option you directly support a wide range of innovative carbon reduction projects throughout the United States at our most affordable price.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of emissions to balance	unit price	quantity	cost
	$10.00 per metric ton (2,205 pounds)		$0.00

add to cart

Carbon Offsets—Improved Forest Management

By purchasing Improved Forest Management Carbon Offsets you can balance your business’ unavoidable carbon footprint while supporting sustainable forest management practices that improve water quality and habitat for wildlife. These projects help permanently protect forests from fragmentation, development and conversion to non-forest uses.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of emissions to balance	unit price	quantity	cost
	$12.00 per metric ton (2,205 pounds)		$0.00

add to cart

Buy international REDD+ Carbon Offsets from BEF

Carbon Offsets—International REDD+

Twenty percent of the world's annual greenhouse gas emissions come from the destruction of tropical forests. By purchasing International REDD+ Carbon Offsets your business helps to prevent the destruction of these forests by providing sustainable economic alternatives to those rural communities. Balance the footprint you can’t avoid while supporting lasting social and environmental benefits.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of emissions to balance	unit price	quantity	cost
	$12.00 per metric ton (2,205 pounds)		$0.00

add to cart

Commuter Offset Bundle

The average employee drives about 5,000 miles per year commuting to and from work. Honor your employees by offsetting their annual commuter carbon emissions. Each Commuter Offset Bundle consists of 2 carbon offsets, offsetting 4,410 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of emissions to balance	unit price	quantity	cost
	$20.00 per metric ton (2,205 pounds)		$0.00

add to cart

now, match your event's water use—recommended products

Buy Water Restoration Certificates (Water Credits) from BEF

Water Restoration Certificates—U.S.

BEF’s Water Restoration Certificates^® (WRCs) offer the first-of-its-kind tool to restore your business' unavoidable water footprint gallon-for-gallon to critically dewatered rivers and streams. As the only provider of WRCs in the country, BEF manages a growing and diverse project portfolio throughout the U.S. Each WRC represents 1,000 gallons of water restored in stream from projects within our U.S. portfolio, helping directly restore the economic and ecological vitality of freshwater ecosystems.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of use to match	unit price	quantity	cost
	$2.00 per 1,000 gallons restored		$0.00

add to cart

Employee Water Bundle

The average American's indoor water use is 70 gallons per day (showering, cooking, cleaning, etc.). That's around 25,500 gallons a year! Balance your employees' annual indoor water footprint for just $50 per employee. Each Employee Water Bundle consists of 26 water restoration certificates, representing 26,000 gallons of freshwater restored in stream and directly contributes to restoring the economic, recreational and ecological vitality of critical freshwater ecosystems.

View product details and project portfolio ::

select % of use to match	unit price	quantity	cost
	$50.00 per 1,000 gallons restored		$0.00

add to cart

NEW² RENEWABLE RESOURCES:	IN BEF RECS:	FROM FACILITIES LOCATED IN:
Geothermal	Up to 100%	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, CAN
Wind	Up to 100%	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, CAN
Solar	Up to 100%	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, CAN
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Landfill Gas	Up to 100%	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, CAN
Low-Impact Hydropower³	Up to 100%	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY, CAN

calculate your event impact

introduction

what you will need to complete the calculator:

why does my calculator show data that is already entered?