Straight answers.
Everything people ask before they trust us with their footprint or their money. If something is missing, ask us directly at hello@quantumearth.co.uk.
Is the calculator really free?
Yes. Measuring your own footprint is free for individuals, with no trial and no card. Businesses pay for audit-ready reporting, evidence trails and disclosure exports.
What does the calculator actually measure?
For individuals: travel, home energy, food, shopping, waste and one-off purchases, converted to kg CO2e each month. For businesses, the same engine covers Scope 1, 2 and 3 and maps to IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure.
How accurate are the numbers?
Every calculation uses published emission factors with a version and a source attached, in line with the GHG Protocol. Estimates are honest about their uncertainty, and business reports keep the evidence behind every line so the number can be defended.
What happens to the carbon credits I buy?
They are retired in your name and never resold. You get the registry serial number as evidence, and the supply is vetted against recognised standards such as ICVCM, Verra and Gold Standard.
Can I share my results with other people?
Yes. Every month gives you a shareable link that shows your category totals without exposing any account details. You can also download a PDF report.
Why should I trust a marketplace with my climate action?
Because trust is the product. Retirements are public, evidence is returned with every purchase, and the platform is built so a sceptic can check the chain from measurement to retirement themselves.
Where do your emission factors come from?
Four named libraries: the UK DESNZ/BEIS 2024 conversion factors, DEFRA factors for food, waste and water, IPCC AR6 global warming potentials, and EC3 environmental product declarations for construction materials. The full list and the worked arithmetic are on our methodology page.
What is the difference between Scope 1, 2 and 3?
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources you own or control, such as a gas boiler or a company van. Scope 2 covers the electricity, heat and steam you buy. Scope 3 covers everything else in your value chain, from purchased goods to commuting, and for most organisations it is the largest share by far.
Can I use the platform if I am not in the UK?
Yes. The exchange is available worldwide. UK factors are the default because the UK is our home market, and enterprise customers can bring their own factor libraries where a local standard applies.
Do you sell carbon offsets to make me net zero?
No. We sell retired, serial-numbered credits and funding for verified projects, but we will not sell you absolution. The order is fixed: measure, reduce what you can, then fund what remains. A credit offsets a tonne, not a habit.
What standards does the reporting map to?
Organisational reporting follows the GHG Protocol and maps to IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure. Construction materials work follows EN 15978 lifecycle modules. Each report states which standard every line supports.
How do I cancel or change plans?
From the dashboard, any time. Downgrades take effect at the next billing period, your measured history stays yours, and there is no exit fee because there is nothing to exit from.